■■,Va ' :j!^ *^ ■' i>. / " fs c ^ % i M V \ ■ r i THE Divine Autority AND USEFULNESS OF THE Holy Scripture ASSERTED IN A SERMON On the 1 Timothy 3. i^. By %^fti^LLES rXEE T>.n and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majejiy. — ^ — — — ■ . . . M.. OXFO%J> *t the THEATER. 1673. a VI ^ /'^ ^M*^ .'[ M T ■! :> k> >r* J^ i* 1% <^--\ <\' K '-l A z. Tim. 3. If. And that from a child thou hajl f^noivn the holy Scriptures , vphich are able to maf^e thee mje unto fahation , through faith vphich is in Chrijl fefus. H E words are part of St. Pauls reafon- ing, by which heprefleth Timothy to hold faft the truth he had received , and not let evil men , feducers , work him out of what he had bin taught : urging to this end both the autority of the Teacher, hinifelf, who had fecur'd the truth of his doftrine by infallible evidence ; and be- yond that, as if that were a more efFeftual enforce- ment, preffing him with his own education in the Scriptures ; how he had bin nurft up in that faith, fucktthc Religion with his milk, that it was grown the very habit of his mind , that which would ftrcngthen him into a perfeft man in Chrift , an^ B make 2, The T>mne Jutority, inake him iri/^ unto Jalvation if he did continue in the faith and praftife of it ; which he proves in the remaining verfes of the Chapter. In the words read there are three things obfer- vable. 1 . Here is a ftate fuppos'd , Salvation ; and put too as of fuch concernment , that attaining it is look upon as .wifdoni ; wi[e unto falvation. Now fince true wifdom muft exprefs it felf both in the end that it propofeth , and the means it choofeth for that end to.be purfued with and at- tain'd by , and take care both thefe have all condi- tions that can juftify the undertaking , and fecure the prudence of it , and this wifdom to falvation therefore muft fuppofe both thefe;in order to them both we have here 2. That which with all divine advantage does propofe this end , and alfo does prefcribe moft perfeft means for the attaining it ; and that is Holy Scripture through faith which is in Chrift Jefm. Thouhaji known the hoi) Scriptures which are able to make thee wife unto falvation^ through faith which is in Chrifi Jefus. Holy Scripture probably of the Old Teftamcnt ; for theie was hardly any other Timo- ih could know from a child , fcarce any other be- ing AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 5 ing written then. The faith of that then through the faith which is in Chriji Jtfm , that is , together with the faith of all things neceffary to be known concerning Chrift, is meant. Now fince St.John^ after the view of all that the other three Evangelifts had wrote concerning Chrift , adding his (lory al- fo fays , that Chrift * did and fpolic more then what * John 20.30, is written^ yet affirois moft pofitively t\\zt thofe things were written that we might believe that Jefm k the Chrifi^ the Son of God) and believing rnight have life through his name ; and fo enough is written for that faith which is in Jefus that is neceffary to eter- nal life.* therefore the Holy Scripture of the Old Teftament,together with the faith of what is writ- ten in the New , is that which St. Paul affirms is able to make U6 wife unto falvation, 3. Here is the advantage Timothy had above o- thersastoFaithinthefe, and confequently the far greater obligation to continue in it. Fie had known them from a child. And that from a child thou haft known tbe holy Scripture^ isrc. • The firft thing that does offer it felf to our cbil- fideration is the ftate fuppos'd , Salvation. But becaufe my Text fuppofes it, I ftialldo fo too, nor ftiall think it needful to prove here , that there is B 2 fuch vj* riv %-^^ s,^ _,^ .^i4_ /^ TheDhine Jutority, fuch a ftate , nor confequently that all thofe arc ftupid, who propofe not to themfelves this ever- lafting fafety for their main end ^ and by drift •care in the duties of Religion and Gods fervice aime at it : for if that ftate be granted, nay if it be but poflible , it muft be granted that there can be no fecurity but in doing fo, nor confequently any wifdom, without being wife thus ur?to falvation. But then if this were granted , that the wifeft thing man could propofe to himfelf, were by ftrift care in all the duties of Religion to defign Gods honor and his own falvation ; ftill , as to the o* ther part of prudence which confifts in the choice of means , we are to feek for that Religion we are to purfue this end by and attain it ; fince there are fo many and fo oppofite Reli- gions in the word, that 'tis not eafier to recon- cile them , then to make peace betwixt enemies and contradiftipns. And it alwaies was fo ; for ex- cepting that mankind agree'd ftill in the notion of the neceflity of Religion , that all had apprehen- fions of invifible powers above us , and differ 'd not much in the rules of Juftice and Morality , in otherthings there was no nearnefs. Almoft from the beginning there was more variety of Gods then Nations And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. f Nations,] had almoftfaid then Worfl-iippers. Beafts^ were their Sacrifices and their Deities , and there- fore the votaries were certainly no better. Vices alfo were their worftiips ; things which their Ci- ties and their Camps would not endure, found Sanftuary in their Temples ; and the aftions which were whipt in the Judgment-hall, were their pie- ty in the holy places. And tho' fome wife men among them found good reafon to decry this, yet they knevv^ not what to take up in the ftead. I need not add the prefent differences of the world, even thatcaird Chriftian too , great part of which as heretofore they feal'd their faith with their own blood, now feal it in the blood of all that differ mt'p.'ss,^^'" ^1 1 t 1 • r* ■ 1 ■ C.!cmtns Al- irom them ; and by their perlecutions hope to me- SM.js.p.oj^.^ rit Heaven more, then thofe did hope to gain it by Sw;;'^ their Martyrdoms. But thefe I need not add to S.-'^c^^wr^ make up this into a demonflration,that it is impof- (^f<^^^^^ fibleforlapfedmen, fo far as they are left to them- «««^f ^^^, lelves, and have no other euide to follow but their ^^ /« w^?tv'6/«* reafon, to find out what they are to believe or ^^^^^'^'^^aj^- •' fill)) t>coicu,(rx.iM^ God, and how to ferve him , and fave themfelves. ^"^^y^^^s- ' , ' Fid. Jtijtm. The a Fathers and Philofophers too , conclude that ^^'^'•'- ^^ ^%- •' * ' nettin f.^g.A- wecan learn from none but God,what we muft un- '/^'^""- '^^^^- rapioncm wn. i . derftand of God ; who muft be known only as he^ '9'- >?+• ^ •' edit. Par. 1671. B 2 himfelf mne Jutority, hinifelf is pleas'd to revele himfelf. His worftiip alfo, how he will be ferv'd , and what obfer varices he does require, or will admit , fince it depends on his own good plefure, therefore without his di- reftions 'tis in vain to hope to pleafe him with our Religious fervice whatever it be, and by confe* quence impoffible without his guidance and af- fiftance to acquire the end of all our Service and Rdigion^thefalvanon of our fouls. So that how wife foever he be who does propofe this bleffedend to hinifelf, if yet withall he be not fome way from the Lord inftrufted by what means he muft pur- fue that end, and do not make choice of, and ufe thofe means , it is impoffible he can be mfe unto falvation. Now for this St. Paul aflures us moft exprefly, here we may befurniftied : For he faies, The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wife unto faU vation , through faith which is in Chrift Jefus, And he does affert this on the very ground we mentioned , for they are Qeorveugnj-, infpir'd by God ; they come from him. All which muft be made out in the next place. That thofe Holy Scriptures which St. Paul firft mentions.thofe of the Old Teftament were f^o^ and did contain fufficient revelation both of God, and of And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. y of the way of worftiip of the Jews, that Nation did foperfeftly believe, that neither Sufferings nor Miracles could perfwade the contrary ; neither the Roman perfecuters that deftroy'd their woriliip, nor the Son of God that chang'd it, could yet take them oft' from Mofes and his Scriptures. Now that this Mofes led that Nation out of Egypt with an high hand, and made himfelf their Prince and Law-giver,multitudes of ^forreign Hiftories of the .>;?/«. exTro- firft times, andthebeft account aifure us : whofeScv/Vi 5L- 1 . n . I • 1 1 r* 1 bo I. 1 6. Pliniut relations we cannot queltion as deriv d trom them- ^o.Taat„smj!. felves, becaufe they hated Jews beyond all pofli- ^iovLYZT bility of fuch compliance. But the ^ Scriptures alfo ti"rr"^ "' tell us, how in Egypt by ftrange wonders, (fuch as 10. chapter's.^* their Magicians could not imitate nor bear , who tho they had permiffion todofome, it was that fo they might appear to be outdon the more mi- raculoufly, themfelves confeffing Gods hand in thofe prodigies) Mofes wrought on the Egyptians to give leave the people fhould depart : and how when yet notwithftanding that leave given they were purfu'd, he made way for them through the *^ Sea by Miracles,which was a rampart and defence ,Exod. i^.n. to them , a ruine to their enemies : How they were ^ fed for forty years withManna raining down from <'Exod. i^.ry. TT Deut.8.24. Heaven IB The divine Mtorky^ Heaven in the wildern^fs : and that they might depend on Providence for their daily provifion, when he forbad them to take care or gather for the morrow, whatfoe're their greedinefs or want of •Exod.i and reward it , and to punifli all tranfgreffion ac- cording to the tenor of thefe Scriptures : that is, it was God ; and he that wrote thcfc Scriptures muft have had communication with , and bin in- fpir'd from, God to write them. Put, 2. Whether they were true or no according as they are recorded in thofe Scriptures, that whole people from the greateft alnioft to the leaft muft know; becaufe they are recorded as all don, not only in the prefence of them all , but as the ob- jeftsand the entertainments of their fenfes , every one ; fo that if they were forg'd , not one of the whole Nation could be ignorant of it. And then, 2 . If they knew them fore 'd all ; that * 6 o o o o o ' Num. 2. 32. men, befides their wives and families, triould en- dure this Mojes , having brought them forth only into a wildernefs, there to lay fuch a heavy Law, and fo fevere a yoke upon them , with fuch penal- ties annext to every leaft tranfgreffion , and adjure them to obferve it on the account of all thofe pro*; digies that had bin wrought among them, and upbraid them with ftiffneckednefs , rebellion , and appeal to their own fenfes for the truth of all this^ . C and IP The Divine ^atorttj^ and record all to pofterity in this Scripture ^ caufe all to be read before them ; and that they flioidd bear all this from him they knewfo impudent a de- ceiver, and conveigh that Scripture and the faith of it to their pofterity , ground their fo ftrid , fo chargeable Religion on that book, which they were certain had no word of truth in it : this fure tran- fcends belief and poffibility* yjiu uiir. 'Tis certain therefore, fince the' Jews of that age did perform the fervices requir'd, and in per- forming them according as that bookdirefts, didf teach their children the great works that God had don in their fight,therefo re they believ'd thofe Mi- racles and Scriptures. And fince it was impoflible that they fliould be deceivM;if they believ'd them, they were true : and their pofterity receivM from^ them the faith of this , and fo deriv'd it on , that neither Gods dread judgments , nor mans cruelty can yetfhake it. Now had they not bin don, and on that account conveigh'd; when ever they were broacht , and that book firft appeared , the men of that 2gt muft needs know their Fathers never had perform'dfuch fervices . had fuch a Book read to ' them conftantly , nor told them of fuch Miracles that had tiin wrought: and therefore 'twas im- poflible JndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. ii poflible that they could have believ'd it had binfo from Mofes , if it had bin true that it had firft be- gun to be taught in their own time, or in theirs with whom they liv'd. And this difcourfe muft be of force concerning every age, if we afcend until we come to that of Mofes wherein all was effefted. Yet befides this, they had alfo that perpetual Mira- cle in the Hi^h Prieft's Peftoral,the Oracle of Vrirn and Thummim , that did keep alive their faith and ftrengthen it : and they had Prophets conftantly forete!!ing,as from God, things that were fomtimes fuddenly to come to pafs , and fomtimes not till many ages after, the event of which depended of- ten on the will of thofe that would not of fome hundred years be born ; others on Gods own im- mediat will and hand : arid therefore none but God could look into , foretel , and bring to pafs all tho(e events. Now fuch were /erew/V^prediftions of the taking ofijerufakm^ and the captivity of the people, and the exprefs number of * years it would^ *^*^^*^* continue; £/S)/j naming ^ Cfr/^,who was to releafebifa 44^6.21. it, near two hundred years eVe he was born ; All , » ^ ,^1 Vaniels prc^phecies , particularly that moft eminent one of thG"" Mefiah this C/jri/?7e/»if,ofwhofeScri-'g[^2n.j.24 ptures we are next to fpeak. C 2 As 12 The Divine AutoritXr That that Jefu6 , whom CorrieliHs Tacitus the heathen hiflorian in -the fifteenth book of his Annals, calls Chrijliani dogrnatU auto- rem^ the * Author of the Chriftiari Doctrine, .r^c.y^w./.is. did work Miracles, andprophefy, both ^Jews and learned "" Heathens do confefs. Butthefe Mlriin p»i. Books tell us , when he firft began to preach, ^ctifu^a^Hj he publicly caft out a Devil in the Synagogue on jitHcr. Cyril. Xiht Sabbath day ; and at even, when the whole contra, ipfum (5. J ^ cr:gt». centra Q\iy ^^iS affembled, he heal'd all their fick, and caft out many Devils , which confeft before all,that he vpo^ the Son of^ God, Then he caft out a Legion of t.Luc!^.^^'^' fuch mifchievous malign Spirits, as having got li- cenfe,drove two thoufand Swine headlong into the Sea & choakt them, which was known to the whole Country of the ^ Gadarens, Before the Pharifees 5.LM.8. *^' and Doftors, that came out of all the Cities both of Galilee^znd yewrji^^ndjerufikm^ and fogre^^.p^ crowd as forc'd them to unroof the houfe to come to him , he freed one from his^ palfy and his fins. fMat.^Maf.2. ^ n^^kitude was witnefs of the death of ^ /aire's ItMar.tLuca daughter , and bewailing her laught him to fcorn that undertook to raife ner , yet he call'd her into life. And on a feaft day in the Temple, before all the And Vfefukep of Jioty Scripture. 13 the people, he recover 'd one chat had lain lame ^ eight and thirty years ; and when a widows fon ^ John 5, was carried to his funeral, and all the City followed him, he only touchr the bier r^^d bid him *" live. ^luc. 7. With two fifties and five loaves he fed '^ 5000 men a Mat. 14.. befides women and children , and with what they Llc.9'. left they fill'd twelve baskets , when one basket car- ^''^' ^' ried all before they ate ; fo that they were con- vinc'd , he was that Prophet that was to come into the world .• and with feven loaves he filL'd ^4000 !,Mat. u. • Mar. 8. afterwards and feven baskets. He comman- ded a dumb fpirit out of him that had bin ^ Luna- ^ Mar. 17. tic , vext with a Devil from his infancy ,before the luc. 9^ people and the Scribes , whom his Bifciples could not caft out. And when ^ Lazarus had bin dead'^''''" *' four dales , and buried till he ftank , yet at his call, altho bound hand and foot with grave cloaths , he came forth.all the multitude beholding. From fo many more I chofe out thefe,becaufe they are re- ported don before the people,and the Scribes, and Pharifees,and Doftors. I might name his ' Frophe- mr'\l^' cies^of the deHiruftioaof Jerufalem,andofthe pro^' pagation and continuance of hic}Religion;even of the womansbox of ^ Spikenard, which event hath b Mat. le.- made notorious to the world. But his death was fo even at the prefent : when if the rending X'^ mJ' ^f the "" veil of the temple was apparent Miracle j'ohn^p. to all Jerufalem, the funs prodigious Eclips, wheii it was impoflible by nature he ftiould be eclips'd ( it being then full moon , ) was fo to the whole Hemifphere. It ferves theufe I am to make of this, n^/fo^t^fre/.. that 'tis here recorded, but withall Heathen"* Hi-: ad oiym. 2C2 ftoTians aud Chronologers bear witnefsto it/ for oeorg. ^yncci. whcu thcv rehtc that in the 4^^ year of the 202 /wcrf«x,v.^f./. Olympiad, the year that is aoign'd to Chriir s mimU nd 1,1 r % 1- r £«re6.c/,r5B.^ death , there was fuch a great Ecliple as never 186. ad ana- ii«. ■% ■. * t ^ n 2044. Etiam had bin , day at noon turnM into night, the ftars vide ]ii!l. Mart. . ^ . ^ 76. 6'>'y 84- appearing , and earthquakes as far as Bythynia, poi.e.ii.ig-de fincc 'tis apparcnt by the motions of the Heavens ijio terra moUt r a j '%'rufiTc "^^^ the calculations of Aftronomy, there could be 84./cr/*/toroi. j^Qj^^ fuch thcu accordiug to thc courfc of naturc , ic muft be this theGofpel fpeaks of. But beyond all this, 'tis regiftred here,that according as he had 1 , fef 29''- foretoId,he rais'd himfelf from death the ' f day; John. 24. y^2i ^^^ many bodies of th€ Saints that had bin , buried, lo^ng it maybe fome of them, he rais'd with him. That notwithftanding all the art and treachery of the Gheif Priefts to conceal it, yet Mar. If 9, that very day he appear 'd ^ Firft to Mary Magd- dalen. And Vfefurnefs of Holy Scripture. 15 dalen, '2^^^ the' Women, '^""'^^ Peter, V'^^^ to them .^^^^^^ that went to*^ Eniaws, laft of all on that day to the '^ ;^33- Eleven** except Thomas, being ^otn and handled '^3^- ^7. ^i. by and eating with them; 6'^'^^ eight daies after to the fame eleven with ^ Thomas; 7'''^^ at the Mohn 2c. 24, fea of^Galilee appearing in 2 miracle of fi^ies; Mohn2^r.^^ 8^^'^ to all his Difciples and s 50a Brethren more ^=''"- ^^ ^• in Galilee, then to James , ^' then to all his Apo-"' ^'''' '^'^ ftles, promifing them the ' Holy Ghoft; and laft- 'luc 24 49- ly all of them beholding he *" afcended into Hea ^^l:t.\\ ven,and ten daies after as he promifed fent the 'Ho- > Aa/2'''/7r8. ly Ghoft upon them in the (liape of fiery tongues, fo as thatthey fpoke all Languages immediatly,t6 the amazement of the Jews of every Nation un- der Heaven to which they were fcatter'd , that the Miracle might fpread as far. Now if all this be true , he that did thefe muft have communication with a power above all that we account the powers of Nature ; fuch an one moft certainly as can perform whatfoever he in this book promifes, inflid whate're he threatens; fuch as is divine. And fince he wrought all thefe, on purpofe to evince he came commiffion*d from thatdivme power, brought thefe Miracleiasfeals of thatcornmiffion,that we might believe h!m,ther- fore I 'i6 The7)h{ne Jutority, fore whacfoever he delivers muft be erribfac't by us^as we hope for thofe bleffed rewards that he propofech, and on pain of thofe eternal torments if we do not ; of both which it is not poffible to doubt if thefe accounts be true., j.:* ^-".ui j. i ., 2"^'^ Since the moft and greateft of thefe muft be don but once ; he could not be incarnated, and born, and live, and preach, and dyc^and rife again, and go to Heaven every day, of every age, in every place, to convince every man by his own fenfes ; to all thofe that did not fee the matter offaa,there- fore faith of . all thefe muft be made by witnefles. And 5% If we can be fur e the witnefles that do af- fert afaft underft^nd it exaftly , if the things bc^ palpable, and they, muft certainly know whether they were really don or no; and if we can be fure too, that they are fmcere, will not affirm that' which they do not know , and do not lye, their teftimony of it muft be moft infallible : becaufe it is impoffible fuch witnefles can be deceiv'd,or will deceive. V^'^y The witnefles in this cafe,the Apoftles and i the 70 Difciples ( fox Tic name no more ) muft needs know moft perfeftly; For they not only faw the And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. ly the Miracles , but were * inftruments and parties in fome of them ; fent to cure difeafes, caft out'^"^" ^'^^ Devils, and knew whether all this were in earneft. Andmoft certainly they faw ( a^ all the Jews did too ) Chrift crucified, his heart peirc^t with a fpear , and his body buried ; and whether they did fee him rifen , handle him , and eat with him ' they knew. And if they might mistake in his Afcen- fion, yet the fiery tongues , if fuch did light on them, they muft needs fee; and whether they them- felves,who fpokc no Languages, could then fpeak Tongues, it cannot be but they muft know. In thefe there is no pofTibility they could err, unlefs they did it wilfully : but then 'tis as impoflible that they could do it willfully, if they were fincerc and honeft,fuch as would not lye*(^:j ^^ilj Now that they were fuch, I riilght urge their fimplicity and opennefs, without difguife, not covering their own errors; menwhofeem'd to live as well as preach againft all artifice , and to have no defign on any thing but the amendment and falvation of mankind. For he that can fup- pofe it poffible that they were otherwife, men of art and finefs, that they contriv'd the ftory , inuft needs know; Firft , that fuch would not feal D their 'I Cor. /J.. P*. 1^ The T)mne /Jutorhyl therr falfehood with their blood; defign norecom- penfe to all their travels but contemt *, and hatred , perfecutions , prifons , whippings , wounds and death, to be the fcum and the ofF- fcouring the world; lay oil ttheir lives againft their confcience to preach that /e/Afef, who did only call them out to' be' a ^fpe£iack to all the worlds juft fuch as Malefaftors when expos'd to fight with, and to be devour 'd of wild beafts. Their fuffer-? ings are too known to ftay upon : S^ /'^/^/j own catalogue of his for five whole verfes 2 Cor. 11, is fuch, that td fuftain' fcheiti i3nly for this end, to put a chei^tTJn 'mankind ; count • a fo labori- ous, vext, torn, miferable life and an in- famous death gain , fo the fable might be beleiv'dr to think they could' do this y is fure as great d madnefs as'to^dbit. But yet I will fuppofe that poflible ; that thofe who wove the fable pleas 'd themfelves fo infinitely with the expeftations of im- pofing on mankind, as that thofe hopes could make mifery and death it felfl^ok lovely to them. But Then 2"^'^ that all and every ofthem fliould be of that mihdv that^ amongft fon many that bare witnefs of thrifts Miracles and f refiirreftion not 3^,man (hould difcover the cheat; that when their '-' perfecutors And Vfefulnefs ofHolj Scripture. ly perfeeutors' did with arts of!c6fmcnta.s. it ,kcre examin them upon the rack, they (hould work not one fingle confeflion out of them ; that no ones courage ftiould be,broke.j noc, have 2 qualm fo far as to acknowledg how itwSs , difclofe the plot, lay open theconfederacy, the whole myfte- ry and Jthe contriyance ofit;: When of twelve Difciples one was fo) (falfe tb''bet;ray f his Mafters perfon at a vile rkte ;, ^et that all of them,, and many more, iin a feigned" ftory of his Miracles fliould be fa true ^to onc^andther,. that no engin of mans cruelty CY^r -could fcrew out the fecret ^ not 'one (liould betray the forgery and be a Ju- das where- he ought to be : no not that J^udas , whbfe concerrr- it • Was , whofe treafon to his Mafter had bin juftificd had he> bin an impo- ftor ; yet that he fhould ftir no leaft fufpici- bn of it, -but flbould burft^ choakt with his greif becaufe he had betray 'd innocent blood: This, if he knew it had all bin impofture, muft be moft ftupendous. ' But yet we will give them this too , that vain- glorious hopes of drawing in the world to fol- low them', might make all of them obftinate in feorefy againft all attemts of cruelty ; or iffomc D 2 weak 20 7he divine Autority , ' weak brethren did perchance difcover,we may not have heard of it. But For them 3**'^ to begin their preaching at /erw- fakm is yet more ftrange. To hope to draw men into a perfwafion , and to bottom that perfwa- fion upon Miracles, and a refurrcftion don a- mongft them there, where if difcovery were made it muft be made, and where it could not but be made if there were fraud. For to relate and write thofe works with every circumftance of perfons , place , and time > where they not on- ly could examin every circumftance ^ but where they rather then their lives would find themfalfe, if nothing elfe would, this muft needs difcover it. They preach them to the face of the whole multitude and of the Pharifees , and tell them they were don before their eyes, fomtimes 500 and fomtimcs 5000 being by and the cheif Preijis znd Pharifees and DoSiors : fo that 'twas moft impof- fiblc they ftiould not know if they were true or falfe, as furc as there was never a Jew in all the Land, but knew whether there were a darknefs over all the land when Chrift was crucified* Now if thefc were forg*d to hope to draw yervs out of their Religion with apparent forgeries , which 1 they And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 21 they knew fuch , fpeaks thefe Apoftles men fo far from art to manage a defign of changing the Religion of the world, that they were mad be- yond recovery and prefident. But let us give them thattoo. Yettis certain 4^'''^ that the Jews, if any fuch were wrought on by them.muft be much more ftupid to believe them upon the account of fuch things don in all the country , in their Cities , and the Temple , be- fore all the Nation , when they could not choofe but know they were not don, if they were not don , but were fain'd all. For what ever might be motive toChrifts followers and his Apoftles, with the certain danger of their lives to forge the cheat, what poflible temtation could there be fo great toincline/i^ir^^ , the moft ftifthecked people, the moft ftubborn in Religion in the world, to embrace a faith which nothing but the Crofs and (liameand mifery attended, and which they muft know falfe too ? Had they fo great luft to dye, as for that to bid farewelto tht'wMofes^ their Religion and their Law ? It is impoffible had they not known the truth of thofe things, that in waters of affliftion , in Jerufalem , ipfis perfe-- cutionum fontibu6^\n that fountain, that fpringhead D 3 of 2% Tloe T)ivine ^utority^ of perfecutions , as the Fathers call it,they would ever have bin baptiz'd into Chrifb. Yet fuddenly in one day at one ferniohofS^ Peter we read near 3000 were baptiz'd. ^45.- 2. at another ftrait 5000^^5. 4. and fuch begin- nings , fuch fums are required to make good what -*;j i'c *;^?^.« the Governor of Paleftine'' Tiberianu^ tells the Em- TT '^''"''"'' per6r,that he was not fufficient to put to death all oitiaas ni voce *■ ^ I i^^ccm. thofe that confeft themfelves Chriftians. All which muft needs have either bin convinc't thofe things were true , or elfe as well againft their confcience \ as againft the powers, thus embrac't that faith and I death together. Neither was this a firft furprize of Chriftianity, as it hadfeiz'd mens minds at unawares ; for it went on conquering till the world came into it , receiving the Religion with the lofs of all that was dear to them in this world. For in one age from 'i Chrifts death, what with the Apoftles fermons,mi- ,' whence EuCeb. I 1 a • • ^r n i i ; , jajs.u.EccMj}. racles, and writmgs alio to confirm and keep men ' Vote Z think-in the truth,and to conveigh it better to pofterity, i»g it enough to . , , have heard the gofpel once i^i, H tJ «^«>« 5 .9-«» ity,fiy f^(^ ^ht(ntct'>^:c^yflof being contented with the p-ea(hmg of the heave?ily dofh-ine while it was but an unwritten doHrine , ' earnejlly entreat S^ }Azr\i,tbat he would leave i„ writing with them a monument of that doBrine which had' bin delivered to ihem hy p-t aching. Sordid they give overfill they had prevalrd; which when S^Vtltr biew by revelation of the H. G. utrl^Knti rvi t u,^S^m vfo^vftjU being extremly pleas' d with that deftre and their earnejinefs in it. He ^pprovd^tt and appointed it to -be read in their affemblj. • and JndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 25 and their difciples after them , who went forth ^delivering thofe writings, preaching on, and ''^"^'*'^'^'°^^' doing wonders alfo, very many Nations are recor^ ded by Hiftorians as converted almoft wholly. And the truth of it is evident, fincenothing but almoft whole Nations . nor yet they but as buoy 'd up by the wonders and the graces of Codsfpirit, ever could be able to endure, or be fufficient to employ the Swords, the Flames, the Lions , and the other numberlefs tortures which tht J evrs and Nero and Vomit ian^ and above all Trajan in that firft age rag'd with , till they made their Cities, vil- lages and provinces fo defolate,that the Proconful /^/i/y, being frighted with the multitude of mur- der'd Chriftians , did advife with him about re- laxing his edifts , as hehimfelf 'affuresus. v. n.e/.//?. 57;. It was the fame the next age, when the power of Miracles^ yet liv'd, and thofe which Ch rift' 7'(^>^'t,r.^.r^. himfelf wrought werefcarce all dead, (fomeMiv'd'^'^^/H? 302. tilli hear that time, who rofe up with him at his fo 5-7. refurreftlon;) when thefe'^ books, (writ by the will ^''«''vt^V%. of God to be the pillar and foundation of mens;"'^^"^^ 4^3. raith m alter ages, as laith ^ Yre;?^^ in that age,) ^"/^-^ 98- were alfo read in the affemblies weekly; when not only thofe that did aflemble were by ^ Ha- drian 1^ The divine Jutority, M ^".I'i/^' drian martyr 'd, but they put men to their oaths, 'I^feriXZt^^ ^^^^ ^"^ whether they were Chriftians,that they J^ef r^S: «^Jght maffacre them. Tp'ZneMar. AhcI ill the 3^^' It was the like, when Miracles they l^udEujeblCc. fay were not ^yet ceaft, yet fure the greateft was the /•V- £T^' conftancy of Ghriftiansin adhering to this book & i.i.'f.6i%'l patience in fuffering for it. For they report the pS'c.z"'" * "^^ ^' fands on the fea fliore almoftaseafy to be num- ^N/«pA./y. j^^^j as the Martyrs of that age; what by ^ F^/eri- I'ftrn^tesros. ^Ti , Dcciu^^ Maximwu^ and Severu^^ but efpecially cn.}^TtmL by^ P/Wey/d72,wlio put fo many men to death for U^fth.i&x\ot delivering up their Bibles tobeburnt, andre- c!6.£«/ei/.8.c. fufing to Sacrifice to his Gods, as if he meant to Siv.u.6ros.i. ' have depopulated the whole earth. And this is as ratr.Antioch!' ttotorious as that men do now profefs that they ^cans.demtnd.zxQ, C hriltians, and that thele are holy Scriptures. Sfond-ad^amim Thcrcforc I iliall need to go no further. Now amcHig fo many myriads who on the ac- count of all thefe Miracles ( whate're they were ) fufter'd themfclves to be converted to the faith of Chrift, and then as if they car'd for nothing but Religion and their Bibles , for them bore the lofs of goods, and life it felf, and engag'd their pofterity to do fo alfo; that not one of thefe ftiouid know whether indeed any fuch miracles were wrought , 302,;;. 4. Jnd Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. z^ wrought , if any were reflror'd to life or no : (for if they knew, then they were tfue/)and that among fo numberlefs a crowed of teachers , who by affuming to fpeak languages, raife the dead^ work figns , drew in thofe Myriads to Religion and the ftake , and went before them , gave them an ci?ample both in faith and death; that not one of all thofe ftionld believe either the Miracles or himfelf that did them: for ifany one that did them did believe them , fince he kntw who did them , they muft needs be certain : but not one of them to know it , fure is fuch a thing as neither could bcdon norbeimagin'd. He therefore that requires ftrift evidence in things of faith which cannot bear it , he that calls for Mathematical demonftration , nor will believe on eafier terms, yet is fo credulous andfounwa- ry,that he can believe fo many things which by the nature and the difpofition of mankind I have de- monftrated not poffible, which yet muft be true, unlefs thefe fcriptures be from God ; 'tis plain he does not feek for certainty, but for a pretence of not believing; would fain have his Infidelity and Atheifm look more excufable , and is not fit to be difputed with but to be exploded. E But But if thefe fcriptures be from God, then wbat- foev^r they afErm ( with modefty I may Goncknie ) is true. And therfore when S^ Luke Afls, i . i . de- clares his former treatife contained all that j^ejus be- gan both tv do and teach until the day in which he vpoa taken up : fince Chrift before he did afcend taught every thing that was required to be believ'd and don in order to falvation , and more too ; ther- fore if his Gofpel did contain all that he taught, and did , fince it did not contain all abfo- lutly , it muft needs mean it contained all that was neceffary, or it muft mean nothing. And fince '• An the fame S^ Luke in the beginning of that Gofpel does affirm he wrot it, that Theophilf^ might know the certainty ofthofe things wherein he had bin infiru^ Red ; Tis plain he avers that the certain know- ledg of all thofe things wherein the having bin inftrufted made Theo^hilm a Chriftian , might be had out of that Gofpel; and whenS'-P^w/ fays here, that the Holy Scriptures are able to make us wifi unto falvation through faith which is in Chrifi Je- fu6 , and S^ Joha in his 20 chap. v. 5 1 . that tho h^ had not wrot all the things that Jefus did^ yet thoft that he had wrot 'were written^ that we might believe that Jefu^ noA the C hrifi the fon ofCod^ and that be- lieving ^nd Vfef^^k^s ifffdy Scripture] 17 lieving we might havt life through his name ; Tise- vident the Scriptures fay that what was written, was fufficient to work that belief which was faf- ficient to life and falvatioh , as far as the ere Jen Ja do concur to it. And when S^ Foul in that verfa that fucceeds my text, in moft exprefs particular Words fets down the ufefullnefs of Scripture in each feveral duty oi'2i7nan cf God^ or preacher of the Gofpel,both for Pi^flrz/ze of faith, for reproof or correSiion of manners , znd in^ruSion unto righ- teoufnefs , and tells you Gods exprefs end in in- fpiring it, and confequently its ability when fo infpir'd was, that the man of God might be made per ^ feSl-i throughly furnijht unto every good work, th^t be- longs to his whole office ; tis moft certain that what is fufficient for that office to inifruSl^reprove^ correii and teach in , muft needs be fufficient to believe and praUife in for all men : i. e. what my text affirms , they are able to mak^ W5 wife unto falvation, Imightcallin Tradition univerfal to bear wit- nefs to this truth for holy Scriptures, if having once demonftrated that they are Gods word, when that does affirm it, and bears witnefs to it , there were need of any other. And this I dare E 2 boldly 2 8 The T>mne Autorityl boldly fay, that if the Scripture did fay as expref- ly, that the Pope had a fupremacy or foveragni- ty over the whole Church, or that he or the Ro- man Church were infallible ; their definition, or the living voice of their prefent Church , a moft fure rule of Faith , as it does fay Scripture is able to mak§U6 wife unto falvdtion^ tho^t Articles would fuffer no difpute, it would be blafphemy or facriledg to limit or explain them by diftinfti- ons , when thofe fayings of the perfeftnef s of Scriptures are forc't to bear many. Then we fliould have no complaints of the obfcurity of thofe books ; if thofe articles were either in the Greek or Hebrew , they would never fay the Bible were not fit to be a Rule of Faith , becaufe the Language were unknown to the unlearned, and they could not be infallibly fecure of the Tranf- lation; were. they there they would account them fure enough , who think them plain enough al- ready there, and that we muft believe them be- caufe, Thou art: Peter-, Feed my fie^p^^nd Tell the Church \y ZY^ there. r>p vhi j6\ ('-un' And for him that fliall affirm, all ncceffaries that muft make us wife unto falvation are not in the Scripture, 'tisirtipofiibleto.give a rational ac- count And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture, zp count how it (lioiild come to pafs that fome are there,the reft are not.. It muft be either on defign, orelfe by chance. Now I. That God fhonld defign, when very ma- ny things that were not neceflary were to be writ- ten , that the main and fundamental ones iliould be omitted : and when of the neceffaries moft he did defign for Scripture , then He (hould not fufferthe Apoftles to write the remainder of them: and yet what he would not fuffer them to write , defign'd that the Trent Fathers ( who I hope have perfefl:ed the Catalogue ) (liould write all: of thefe fince 'tis not poffible to give a reafon , 'tis not therfore rational to affirm it was upon defign. But 2 . If he (liall fay it only happen'd fo by chance, he does affront both Scriptures , and Gods Ho- ly Spirit, who, as they affirm, infpir'd them for this very end, to bring men to the faith and to fal- vation. But there is no place for chance in thofe things that are don in order to an end, by the defign, impulfe and motion ofthe infinrt wifdom of Gods holy Spirit. He certainly does moft un- worthily reproch his Maker, who can think it poffiblcr that what he did defign exprefsly and on E 3 that that account alone to attain fuch an end by(name* ly that men (liould believe and be fav'd )and in- fpire it for that purpofe , Ihould yet fail , not be fufficient for that purpofe. And fure ifitbefuffi- cient it contains all neceflaries , otherwife it were deficient in the main ; yea fo clearly alfo, as that they,for whofe falvation they are intended, may witli ufe of fuch method^^as are obvious and agreed upon by all men, underftand them : for otherwife they could not be fufficienttif men could not be in-* ftrufted by them in things neceflary both to faith andlife,they could not make them wife urito falvation. I muftconfefs the Scripture labors under a great prejudice againft thisdoftrine, from the different fenfes and interpretations that are made of it, e- ven in the mofl fundamental points, by them that grant it is the word of God ; when yet all ufe the fame means to find out the meaning , and no doubt they feek fincerely after it. But yet I think it evident this happens not from the obfcurity of Scripture, fince it is not only in the moftexprefs texts; but alfo ifyou (hould fuppofe the doftrins were as plain fet down there as words can exprefs them , yet there are fuch principles affum'd into the faith of different fefts , as mult oblige them to AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 51 CO interpret diverfly the fame plain words. I am not fo vain as to imagin that no places are obfcure in Scripture , and I know that learned men have arts by obfcure places to confound the plaineft, juft as the Philofopher did motion. Neither am I fb pervcrfe and Angular not to think that univer^ fal praftife and profeffion of the Church does> much affurc and confirm explications of Scri^ ptures', whether obfcure or plain. But this I fay, that the diverfities of explication come, as I now faid, from the diverfity of principles or rather pre- judices^ and that this only is thecaufe of it I thus demonftrate. Firft in the Socinian^who interprets all thofe Scriptures, which the Catholic world hath ftill apply 'd to the Divinity and fatisfaftion of Chriflr, that I name no more points, otherwife then the Church did alway ; and I affirm he does it,not be- cawfe h€ thinks the words do favor his interpre- tation, but becaufe his principle requires it;, name- ly this. To admit nothing into his faith but what agrees with that which he counts reafon , which in zSocimans faith is judgof all points in the laft refort. And I mean reafon upon natural princi- ples, and thus I prove it. Socint^ fpeaking of Chrift's 32 ' The T>mne Autorky y Chrift's fatisfaftion, fays the word is not in Scri- Ep qui^.me- ptiire , ^ yet if it were there very often I would not tiamfi non femel i ' J J fedj^pe id^^i believe it, becaufe it does not confift with right facrii m:nin:en- ' '^ tisfcr^ftumex-YQ^i'oii fhat is wlth the arsiuments that he had taret,ncn idcir- ' >-' "^T''r\^7'"brouQ;ht againft it drawn-from human principles. ""'i"l"'r^°' And therefore he there addsithofe things which /i','iet'^!ro7e*'^^^^PP''^^^"^ cannot be, ( i. e. that appear fuch r^mtom. 2.y. ^^ j^jj^ ^}^q judgcs by thc principlcs of natural reafon , which yet cannot )udg of fupernatural and infinite beings, ) tho the Holy Scripture does ex- prefly fay they are , yet muftnot be admitted; isr idcircofacra verba in aliumfe?jfum quamiffafonaritper inufitatos etiam trofos quandoqi explicantur: aud for this reafon we make ufe of even unufual tropes , ftrain'd figures to explain the words of Holy writ to other fenfes then the words themfelves import. And fo he therfore ferves that great variety of words by which the Scripture does exprefs Chrifts fuffering/or our fins , in our ftead , as our facri- fice ; againft the univerfal notions of thofe words , not only which the Church ofChrift, but which the Jew's and which the heathen world had of them. And when his reafon told him that Chrift could noth^ God one with his Father^ that he was fo far from having any being from eternity , as that AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 5} that he was not at all, till he had a being from the Bleffed Virgin ; Therfore when the Scripture faies direftly ^ / and the Father are one , he muft ftrain it ^ j^^^^ j^ .^ to this meaning , are of one mind , we agree in one: alth.o S^ /oy^// avert that, by ^ diftinguifliing fi?/,m/,7f^w! thofe two exprefsly. Yea worfe, when to ^xoy^'ohofi^ndLrt that Chrift had a being e're the world was made, the%7r,7,''^vj we urge from the -fir ft Chap, to the"^ Heir, whzt the b/coj ,unj S^ /'^w/ produces from the "^ ffalms^ and does ap- /«^v;e.' ply to him moft particularly. Thou Lord in the i^- beginning haji laVd the foundation of the earth , and 2^- 27. the Heavens are the workj of thine hands ; theyjfjallpe- rijh , hut thou remaineft^ and they all /hall wax old as does a garment '^ andas avejiure /halt thou fold them up , and they fiall be changed : hut thou art thefame^ and thy years fball not fail. They explain it thus : that God by Chrift will at laft deftroy thefe Hea- vens, and this Earth , and change them , accor- ding to that faying in the Pfalms; which altho the Apoftle produce at length , as it ftood there, both concerning the Creation and deJlruSiion of the world, yet he intended only to apply this laft to Chrift. And tho he fay as well of the fame Lord, Thou Lord in the beginning didjl lay the foundation of the earth ^and the heavens are the works of thine hands^ F as t 54- 7^^ T)ivine Autority^ z2>^thouJljalt change them \ yet he meant no more but that this change God would effect by Chrift. It is not poffible that the text can give any the leaft countenance to this interpretation. The dif- ferent explication of this Scripture does not come from the obfcurity of any words in it ; for in the Ffahn they and we underftand the fame words in the fame fenfe exaftly : therfore that wc differ here,is not from any thing in the words quo- ted , but is wholly from the Principle. And we may not wonder, for the plain fenfe will not fute with their Hypothefis. There are no other that are inftanc'd in as dif- fering from us in points of faith but the Ro- manifts. I know not whether they account thofe differences to be in things neceffary to falvation. .ThncM- a If that be true that they allow ( for what caufe fjtjs Of this )up' J ^hdeZ^fnatlA^^y ^^^"^ bcft,) fomc that are reconcil'd to their 'Lym!d7/L Church to communicate with ours , that is, join in our worfliip , and by doing fo own the profef- fion of our faith in diftinftion to that of others, or at leaft efpoufe thefcandal of the owning it; Then one would think they muft account that there is nothing in our worftiip don that is unlawful, nor omitted that is neceiiary , nor ajiy thing Hereti- c^al AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 55 cal profeft , at leaft that there's no fcandal in the owning that profeffion. For ifthere were, they did allow them only to profefs and aft grofs fin , which certainly they would not do. So that poor Proteftants when they are pleas'd to give leave may be no Heretics, and therfore there is nothing of itfelfinthat profeffion faulty. But yet on the o- ther fide fince we fee they call us Heretics , and when they have no power over us, damn us to Hell fires, and when they have hadpower,damn'dus to the fire and fagot alfo ; fure they think the diffe- rences to be in things neceffary. But yet the ac- count is eafy, how not the obfcurity of Scripture, but a Principle or prejudice does caufe this. For We are bound in confcience to grant they believe their own Principles. Now 'tis a Principle with theni,that their Church cannot erre, and therfore that their prefent faith and confequent depending praftife was their faith and praftife alwaies. That it may appear fo , they muft feek for countenance from Scripture: and if any thing there feem to thwart their faith or praftife,they muft fmooth and difguife it , that it may look friendly. And 'tis moft certain if the Scripture (liould be never fo exprefs againft them, whilft they think it is not F 2 poffible Beutit-c. 17. -^6 7he T)ivine Autority , poffible that they can err, they cannot think ir poflible Scripture can mean what it pretends to fpeak. Twere eafy to make inftances. As firft for invocation of the Saints departed, which with .L.i.dtsana. them is a point of faith , * Bellar, and Cochleu^ produce that of the Pfalms , Ivpillliftupmine tyes unto the hills from whence cometh my /?e//'.Pfalm. 121. I. andaltho the text direfts that looking up ex- prefsly to the Lord that made heaven and earth, v. 2. and tho it be a Principle with them, that on thofc everlafting hills there were no Saints in Davids time that could be invocated, they were all in lim^ bothtn they fay; yet as I faid, they would have countenance from Scripture, and for want of better they are therefore forc'd to interpret thofe words, I will lift up mine eys unto the Hills ^ thus, / will invocate the Saints. Now will any fay 'tis the obfcurity of this Scripture that does hinder Prote- ftants from feeing the bright evidence of this ar- gument, and not rather that it is the weak founda- tion of this praftice that does make the Romanifts feck to build it on thofe mountains?So among thofe feveral texts which in the 2^ Nicen general Coun- cil are produc't for adoration of the images of Ghrift and of the Saints, and are expounded to evince ^ Covciltom I'i, p. 29r Jnd Vfefuhefs of Holy Scripture. 57 evince it, none is plainer then that which I pro- duced now from Bellarniin. I (liall give one or two examples from the Pfalms : "" Thy face Lord[\^^^{^'^'^' wililfeek.: '"and, Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon u^ : and again, '^ the rich among the ^ ^'^^' people P all entreat /^)//^ce:therefore David thought the pifture of Chrift was to be ador'd. It is their own "^ conclufion from thefe texts, And they have no better for it. Yet they faw the doftrine in thefe fo apparently , as that with great oppofition to great Councils, and more blood (lied I think then yet ever any doftrine hath bin fe tied with, itwasimposM. Yea more,the firft experiment of the Popes power over Soveraign Princes was on the account of this fame doftrine; when for op- pofing Image-wordiip Gregory //'e2^excommunica- ted the Greek Emperour. Pope '^Conftantine for the fame caufe indeed had 1 4 years before don fo to 9^'"^'^''^' Philippicu^^ but he did not go much further, where^- asGre^orj/abfolv'd theEmperors fubjefts in the Ro- manDutchy fromtheirAllegiance;commandedthem ^sison.dcnim not to pay him any tribute,nor in any wife obey him; ^'^^jll"Zl^ whereupon they ^kill'd their Governors,and ^fwore )f;'Z'rJfput 'nl facramtnto ft Pontlficis vitam Jlatiim(]\ in perpttmmde^enfi{ros,atgtie ejus in omnibui rebui aiitorl Uti obtemperatttros jurarunt. Jta Roma Komamtff-tditcafus aOrack ad R.omamtmfcntificem^irvmt,!>i£on de Rf^rjo Ital- ad annum 727. /.3.f. 105. F. 3 . obedience * Si£on, de )'e£- no ft a I ad an^ l^ The T>mne Jutority, obedience to the Pope. And this was the begin- ning of S^ Peters patrimony, and it was thus gotten , by this doftrine, which they faw fo cleerly in thefe Scriptures ; when they cannot fee the con- trary in thofe plain words," Thoupalt not make to thy felfany whether Graven image or idol it matters not, finceit follows, nor the likenefs of any thing which is in heaven above^&cc, nor in thofe where God takes care exprefly that himfelf be not wor- (liip't by an image Deut. 4/ 15. and then ;udg if 'tis obfcurity crplainnefs that makes them fee or not fee doftrines in the Scripture : rather if it be not meerly the neceflity of prejudice. So again we differ in the meaning of the i\^^ chap, of the I. Cor. where we think S^-P^M/afierts and argues, yea and chides againft all fervice in an unknown tongue in the public affemblies , faying all muft c^cor 1.5. ^^ ^^^ there fo as it maybe "^ underftood, and to 42.19.2t. edification. But that which is performed there in an unknown tongue does not "^ edify fays he there; yet to )uftify this praftice they muft make it have ►^^y?/. Af^^.,« a different meanir-ff, which no Fathers counte- fef./64i. ^^^^^'> but which * feveral expound as we do, yea fktochr.icyCecumer,. in loam &'c. and thecoirmentary under S^ yin>hnft's name makes rhefe who in tne Uiur;.n otCorinth would ufe an nnknown rongue in their facred offices, Cagainft whom S^ Panl tirettsnisipeech and takes occafion for that which he faiesin thi? chapOcon verted Hebrew's; who vould It ihauldfeem perform the fervice or at leaft fome parts of it in the ChriftJan Aflemblies, istney nad bindon ofold in the Synagogues/m the Hebrew tongue, which the Corinthians under- stood not, agamft which St- /'^«/difputes. and And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture.' 39 and diverfe of their own do fo too, and particu- larly their Pope /ohn S^'^ in his 247 ^^ Epiftle^frsV^"' '^• writing exprefly on that Subjeft. Once more, fo their half communion , that it nny be reconciPd with that exprefs command ^ Drinkyeeallofitiznd. ^ ^^'^ '^'^' tbps do , obliges them to find another meaning : drinks ye all muft be direfted to them only as A- poftles ; and do th'^ muft fignify confecrate the Elements, altho S^ /j/// apply it moft directly to the drmking, and the drinking to his lay Co- '^""'''^^ rinthians. Nor dare they fay in truth it means the other, for S^/'W when he does fay do this^ did not intend to make his Lay Corinthians male and female 'J^l '^'f^i'"^- y of Trent SefJ. 22. all "^ priefts,and give them power to confecrate. The ^;^;„^^f J,£'- words are plain, ther's nothing in the text obfcure XJ^i//}^^' that makes us differ ; but the praftife had by little {htfj^j,^'' & little grown upon them, till it became Univerfal,^",^;/^^,'^' and fo grew into their faith : and then fincethey',tiv"Jc^«l' believe they cannot erre , they muft expoundf«X'X^"^'fc,% Chrift's words fo as they may not contradia4';f;lf ' their praftife ; becaufe that would overthrow ^J/c^/S^'-l; their Principle. '""' ''^'^ But the Church that builds upon no Principle but Gods word, can have no temtation to pervert or ftrain it,fince what ever does appear to be the meaning i^.0 TheT>htne Autority, meaning of it, that their Principle muft needs en- gage them to believe. Andtherfore if it fay Thk k my body, we believe it; If it faies too after confe- cration it is ^ breads we believe that alfo: and be- caufe it therfore fays 'tis both , we fo believe it one that it may be the other ; which fince both fay it is impofTible that it can be fubftantiaUy , neither hath God in exprefs words told us which it is fubftantially ; therfore feeing when he calls it hody^ he is inftitnting his Sacrament^ there's all reafon in the world he ftiould m^ An Sacrament al- ly ; fince 'tis the moft proper meaning : and by confequence 'tis hxt^A fubji ant tally ^ as all waies of I cor.11.27. judging in the world affureus. Kerens no ftrefs on Scripture, as there is no Principle to ferve ; when as the other makes us differ, not in Scri- pture only , even where 'tis plaineft ; but tradi- tion too. For the moft exprefs and evident fay- ings of the primitive Fathers are on every head of difference , as much the matter of contention as the texts of Scripture are ; as it were eafy to de- monftrate if that were my bufinefs. So that it is meer deceit to lay our quarrels to defefts in Gods word , and particularly to its obfcurity , which a man would think were evident enough from this ^nd Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture, j^i this that Children knew it. Thelaft thing I am to fpeak to. And that from a child thou, haft known the holy Scripures^ which are able to make thee wife un^ to falvation through faith which Is in Chrifi Je- fm. I cannot pafs this,that it is S*^ Chryfofiomes ob- fervation, that 7/7770^^)/ was nurft up in the Scri- ptures from his childhood. Yeaand fince his Fa^ ther was an Heathen, he muft have bin taught them by his Grandmother Lo/s ^ and his Mother Eunice-) whofe faith S^ Faul fpeaks of 2 Tim. 1.5. Chil- dren therfore then , and Women , and they fure are Laics , read the Bible. Yea and fince they knew it, they muft read it in a language which they underftood : and we know where that is unlaw- ful now. If we confider the firft prohibition that appear'd in that Church with Synodical autority againft fuch mens having any Bibles in their own tongue , we fliall find it was immediately upon the preaching of the Waldenfes , one of whofe doftrines it was,^ that the Scripture was the rule to ,vif,r.dtchrif. judg of faith by", fo that whatfoever was not confonant f^t'/T^'' to that mufl be refused. This they preach't in France and over Europe in the latter end of the ^ i2Cen- G tury : ^ T'ht THvine Jutmty^ tury ; and that Council which forbad their hav- ing of the Bible, we find lately put forth by the *s ici/e tors ^^^^^ ^ ^' ^^^^^^J ^s held at rholou/t m the begin- 2./. 624. j^j^^g Qf |-]^g J ^th Qentury. It feenis they apprehen- ded then their doftrines hardly would abide that touchftone: And they therfore had no furer^more conrpendious way for its fecurity then to prevent fuch trial, taking care men (liould not know what was or what was not in Scripture. And it is not poffible for me to give account why in their ca- techifing they leave out all that part of the com- mandments, ThouJIjalt not mak§ to thyfelfany graven ivtagc^ &c. but this only, that they dare not let the lairy compare their doftrine and their praftice with that Scripture. But tho it is poffible they might conceive fome danger if the whole Scri- pture ftiould be exposed , yet in thofe portions which the Church it felf chofe out for her own of- fices , the little lefjons^ and Epifiles^ and Go/pels^ thofe fure one would think were fafe; no,not their ^Jklter^ Breviarji^nor their Hours of the Blefed Virgin ^muft they have tranflated in their own tongue; as that * Council did determin. And truly when the Roman Miffal wasturn'd lately into French , and had bin allow'd to be fo by the general Aflem- bly I cap. 4. And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. j\.\ bly of the Clergy in the year ^ 1650. and when it '^I^^r'/.f was don it had the ufual approbation of the Do- ^rauTJcMZ' Sors and fome Biftiops, and then was printed «S/i;^r* at Paris with the licenfe of the Vicars general of S'^^'^'c^V- their Archbifliop. Yet another general z^cmhly Tbichl7nthc of the Clergy the year 1660, whereat there were the ElttfitJu ^ "iG Biiriops , upon pam or excommunication ^z^/' ^fm^/€> r \ ' X I • 1 1 gtntraldn CUr- forbid any one to read it , and condemn not on- g'dcFmnct,u- ly that prefent traduction, but the thine in general /''""^ 1660. as poyionous, in an Encyclical Epiftlc to all the 'Strait. Prelates of the Kinp;dom : and in ^another they ^ffr^ 139. " . Z'- '30- fay of him that did tranflate it, and the vicars ge--^^ '4' •/eie;;/4« •^ 111* de nojtre mere neral that did defend him in it , that by doing^^^i^'^^^"'"- , "5'^ Centre nous fo they did take armesagainjl the Churchy attaquing'l'^^^^^^^^°'^^^ their own Mother (namely by that verfion ) at the '^''"/^'"^"" Altar^in thatfanSluary , thatclo/et of her fpovfes viy- "^^^f"^*^^. jieries to profiitute them: and in another Epi-fj- 2. ftlethey befeech his Holinefs Pope Alexander ?''" to ^j^J'^Tf^f ^-^ damn it not in France alone but the wholeChurch; SLt/p"i/- which he then did by his § Bull , for ever inter. ^fy^ll^\},t diaing that or any other verfion ofthatbook,4br- ^'"J'iJJ'''' 1664. ;?. 382. ^Mlfptle prmne Jutorttj/y bidding all to read or keep it on fevereft paines; eommanding any one that had it to deliver it im- mediately to the Inquifitor or Ordinary that it might be burnt forthwith. Now thus ( what- ever it be otherwife) the mafs is certainly a fa- crifice when 'tis made a burnt offering to ap- peafe his holinefs's indignation : when that ve- ry Memorial of Chrifts paffion again fufters , and their facred offices are martyr'd. To fee the dif- ference of times; 'twas heretofore a Pagan Dio^ clefian , a ftrange prodigy of cruelty , who by his edift did command all Chriftians to deliver up their Bibles or their bodies to be burnt; 'Twas here his Holinefs ^ Chrifis Vicar ^ who by his Bull or- ders all to give up theirs, that is all of it that they will allow them , and their praiers alfo , that they may be forthwith burnt, or themfelves to be excommunicated , that is their fouls to be de- voted to eternal flames. And whereas then thofe only that did give theirs up were excommuni- cate, all Chriftians fliun'd them as they would the plague; and multitudes , whole regions ra- ther gave themfelves up to the fire to preferve their Bibles : now thofe only that have none , or that deliver up theirs, are the true_ obedient fons of that AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. ^5 that Church, and the thorough Catholics. I know men plead great danger in that book: it is repre- fented as the fource of nionftrous doftrines and rebellions. I will not fay thefe men are bold that take upon them to be wifer then Allmighty God, and to fee dangers he forefaw not , and to pre- vent them by fuch methods as thwart his ap- pointments ; but I will fay that thofe who talk thus certainly defpife their hearers; as if we knew not Hercfies were hatcht by thofe that undcrftood the Bible untranflated t and as if we never heard there were rebellions among them that were forbid to read the Bible. For if there were a Covenant a^ mong them that had it in therr own tongue , fo there was an Eoly League zmongfc thofe men that were deni'd it. While thofe that had the guidance of the fubjefts confcience were themfelves fubjeft to a forreign power, as all Priefts of that com^ munion are , How many Kings and Emperors have there bin that did keep the Scriptures from their people ,/ but yet could not keep theix people from fedition,nor themfelves from ruine by it ? In fine when God himfelf for his own people caus'd his Scripture to be written in their own tongue^ to be weekly read in public, to, and day and night G 3 in. l6 The divine Autority , in private by the people ; and when the Apoftles by the infpiration of the Holy Ghojl indited Scri- pture fof the world, they did it in the language that was then nioft vulgar to the world : what Godznd. the Holy Spirit thus appointed as thefit-^ teft means for the Salvation of the world , to de- fine not expedient, as the Holy Fathers o^ Trent did , looks like blafphemy againft Go<^and the Ho- ly Spirit. But blafphemies of this kind are not to be wonder 'd at from that kind of men, that call the a F/^^.B. d<^ Scripture a dumb ^juJg^ ^a black Gofpel , incken Di- ^c^fh"dthicr '^^^^^y > "" written not that they flould be the rule of /.1.C.2./0/.8. oiir faith and Religion^ but that they fiould be regu- ^jdmr\&h. i^^^^ ^y^ fubmitted to our faith '^ "^ that the autority of the Church hath given canonical autority to Scri- ptures , and thofe the chiefs which otherwife they had not neither from themfelves nor from their author s\ And that if the Scriptures were not fuftain'd by the autority of the Church they would be of no more value ' ^"^f'f^'l' then /Efops ^fables, ^ And hfdy ^hat the -people are per- Ctf«.p.47- mitted ta read the bible was the invention oftheVe^ f Peres, aetra- J Jitpnr.l.afftrt^^^ll^ But to leave the controverfy and fpeak to the advantages which may be had from early inftitu- tion in the Scripture ; 'tis fo evident that I need not And Vfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. rj eot obfervehow 'tis for want of principles ini^preft and wrought into the mind in Childhood, thatiOur yomh isifo licencious. And 'tis not poffible it can be otherwife, when they have nothing toop- pofc to conftitution , when tis growing, and to all the temtations both of objefts and example ; iK) ftrlQ; fenfeof duty planted in thej?n , no fuch motions as would make refiftance to the rifings of their inclination, and feducements of ill com- pany; and they therefore follow and indulge to all of them. And in Gods name why do parents •give their Children up to God in their firfl: infan- cy , deliver him fo early a poffeffion of them ? as if they would have Religion to take feizure on them ftrait,. as if by their baptizing them fofoon, they meant to confecrate their whole lives to Gods fervice, make them his as foonasthey were theirs, as if they had bin given them meerlyfor;Godsu- fes? And they therpjre enter them into a vow of Religion almoft as foon as they have them: why all this ? if accordingly they do not feafon and prepare them as they fliall grow capiible. Wihy when they are but newly born their children, do they take care they ftiall be regenerate and born again Gods children? if they do not fiirniili them with with neceffaries , educate them into all the qua- lities and hopes that appertain to the condition of Gods children , as well as they do to that of their own. That parent which not only, like fome delicate ones refufes her own breads to her own infant, but provides no other to fuftainit; rthat does only wafti her babe from i'ts firft blood and uncleannefs to expofe it the more handfom prey to wolves and tigers in the defert, is more ^Lara. 4- 3- f^vagc then thofe tigers: * even the fea monfiers draw out the breajis , they give fuck, to their young ones , faith lamenting /ere/Tzj, but he adds the daughter of my people is cruel like the Oflrich in the wilder- vyob.39. lA-nefs^ ^ which leaveth her eggs in the earthy and for- getteth that the foot may crujh them , or that the wild beajl maj break them , Jkee is hardned againfi her young ones : fuch are they who when their <:hildren are fo born again to God, yet as they fhall wax capable proi^ide not that which S^ Peter < I Pet. 2. 2. calls the fincere milk.ofthevpord that they may grow thereby, but from their being waftit fo in the la- yer of regeneration , take no more care, but ex- pofe them forthwith to fuch lufts and converfati- ons, as are much mQ>re wild and favage then thofe beafts in the comparifon ; to which they cannot choofe AndVfefulnefs of Holy Scripture. 49 cHoofe but be a prey. They ftrive indeed, they fay, to educate them into men betimes, that is, make them converfible and boid:and fince for that they muft: engage them into frequent company , where they fee and hearmensfoilies, that Ifay no worfe; by that means they come to have their underftand- ings ftor'd with nothing but th/? Modes, and fins of converfation ; fill'd with froth and puddle; men betimes only thus, as they have forwarded their inclinations to, and got an early underftand- ing and experience of, thofe vices , which one would think men only could be equal for. But by this means the mind , that only part that makes us be men , is not only not improved, but dwarft. They do not only ftill continue children in their underfl:anding,as to any thing that's realandfolid; but the hopes ofreafon are deftroy'd in them , and its growth kilPd^ by turning all its nurifti- nient to feed the beaft part ; and the Chriftian is quite ftarv'd. There needs no other caufe be gi- ven for the moft part, why fo many men have no Religion , own being Libertines, and profefs vice; for want of education they have nothing in them that does check this , for they had no principles of a Religion inftiPd into them. And if at any time H it 50 The T>ivine Autoritj , it comes to pafs that they think it is their intc^ reft to take upon them the profeflion of fome Re- ligion , they therfore , fince they have no Princi^ pies nor rules to judgby, are moft apt to choofe to profefs that Religion, which is like to be moft gentle to the courfes they havefteer'd, and arc engag'din. Now. that men hope to find fuch an one, (whether by its conftitution I ftiall not en- quire but,) by i'ts pradice is but too appaernt. Ac- cordingly when they go over to it, they carry with them , and preferve in it the vices of their no Re- iigion ; and by confequence they went not over ferioufly for Religion : and are therfore fo much worfe now then when they own'd no ReHgion , )^ that they do their wickedneffes with certainty of eafy abfolution, andfo hopes offalvation; and by this are likely to be made twofold more chil- dren of Hell then before : and let them triumph in fuch conquefts. Ther's nothing in the world that contributes fomuch to this as mens being not acquainted early with , inftrufted in, thofe divine rules and obligations to piety and virtue, which this book the Bible does afford. If men had bin feafon'd firft with the knowledg and the fenfe of duty , with the comforts that arc in it, with the appre- And Vfefuhep oflMy Scripture. ji apprehenfions of great bleflings that attend it;and the mifchiefs that are confequent, indeed effenti- al to impiety and vice here; and their minds were fiirniflit with examples of both, which this book abounds with; and their hearts too rais'd with expeftations of far greater bleffednefs in a hfeherc^ after , and with the belief that both that bleffed- nefs and life fliall have no end : and were made fenfible alfo of ftrange dreadful torments that a- wait the breach of duty, which (liall alfo laft for ever : If thefe impreffions I fay, did prevent all o- ther , and take up the mind, and had in them the ftamp and charafter of Go J ^ and fo there were a reverence and awe of him wrought in them, and they lookt upon him as concerned in all this; how it was his word thatfaidit; and thefe fcntiments were grown into the very habit of their mind; as it would not be eafy to corrupt or foften fuch, fo 'twould be much more difficult to fhake them, fincc their faith is founded on tie rock^ofages. Befides the Holy Scriptures carry in them fuch an obligation of adhering to them, and to them alone, fince they are fufficient/o make us wife unto falvation^ and are Gods wordj that men would not be apt to exchange them forLegends,pious forgeries,for things that can make H 1 good 52, TheT)hine Jutority, good no certain title from the Lord: for letthem lliew an equal derivation of it , bring it down through all the ages ae we have don the Scriptures title to him. Otherwife it juflly may provoke Gods *jer.2.i3. exclamation in the Prophet '"Jeremy; Beafto- '*ni(lit O ye Heavens, and be horribly afraid,be " yee very defolate;faith the Lord , for my people *'have committed two evils, they have forfaken *'me the fountain of living waters, and hew'd *^ them out citterns, broken cifterns that can hold " no water: cifterns therfore that may leave them in a ftate to want a drop of water , when their tongue (hall be horribly tormented : whereas he that drinks that lirAng water which Chrift gives, fc Job. 4.14. hi6^word^fiallneverthirJl^h\xUt{\\2i\\ be a well of corapa^rdwit ^^^^^ in Wm fpHnging up toeverlaftinglife. FINIS. il( J 10%; '. 2 H y^ M' ;s^'\^ %: ZBSS t^-*m-