Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	old_a	prophet_n	testament_n	5,085	5	8.1969	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76964	A plaine & profitable catechisme whereunto is added a sermon preached upon Exod.23.2. / By that reverend and judicious divine Mr James Bacon, late minister of Burgate in Suffolke. Now first published by his son in law H.W.	Bacon, James, minister of Burgate, Suffolk.; Perkins, William, 1558-1602.	1660 (1660)	Wing B344; Thomason E1853_3; Thomason E1853_3*; ESTC R210346	58,042	143

the Prophets and Apostles is to be received and embraced as the Doctrine of Christ Luc. 1.70 Gal. 1.1 Gal. 1.11 12. 1 Pet. 1.10 11. 2 Pet. 1.21 Joh 16.13 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Ephes 2.20 Jude v. 17. Q. Why are the writings of the Prophets and Apostles called the Scriptures A. Scripture is a Latine word which signifieth writing now because of all writings that ever were published these are the worthiest therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by an excellency they are stiled the Scriptures Q Why are they called the Holy Scriptures A. The Scriptures are holy in these 4. respects First because the holy Ghost did indite and dictate whatsoever is written in this precious Book 2 Pet. 1.21 Act. 28.25 Secondly because the Penmen of Scripture were holy men of God holy Prophets and holy Apostles Luc. 1.70 Eph. 3.5 Thirdly because the holy will of God is here revealed whatsoever is recorded in the Scripture is an holy Truth Prov. 30.5 Luc. 1.72 Rom. 7.12 Tit. 1.1 Psal 12.6 Fourthly because the word is a powerfull instrument whereby the elect of God are sanctified and made holy Joh. 17.17 Q. Seeing the Scriptures are so holy whether may Lay people read them and speake of them A. Yes they may read them so they addresse themselves to the reading of them with holy affections they may speake of them so they speake of them with reverence and alleadge them to those holy ends for which they were written as to gaine some glory to God who is the Author of holy writ and to edifie one another in their Christian Faith Jude v. 20. 2 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Q. But many think that it belongs to Church-men only to search and Study the Scripture tell me therefore whether is it a duty that God requires of all Christians to read and search the Scriptures A. Yes all the disciples of Christ that are able to reade ought to reade and search the Scriptures as well Lay-men as Ministers Q. How may that appeare A. By these arguments First because the precepts enjoyning this duty are generall and extend as well to the Lay-People as to Ministers Reade Joh. 5.39 Col. 3.16 Deut. 6 6 7 8 9. Deut. 17.18 19. Secondly we have examples of all sorts recorded in Scripture which shew that this exercise of pietie is commendable in all ages in all degrees and callings Read 2 Tim. 3.15 Act. 8.28 Act. 17.11 2 Pet. 1.19 Thirdly God hath made such gracious Promises as may encourage all Christians to performe this dutie Reade Rev. 1.3 Psal 25.14 Joh. 7.17 Fourthly that which was written to all is commended to be read unto all why should it not be free for all to reade See Rom. 1. v. 7. 1 Thes 5.27 Col. 4.16 Object But the Scriptures are obscure and hard to be understood and therefore simple and unlearned men cannot profit by reading of them Ans The Scriptures are in themselves perspicuous and plaine enough They are written in such a style as is most fit for the Instruction of the whole Church yea all things that are necessarie to be known and believed of all men to salvation are plainly and manifestly layd down in the Scriptures And therfore all sorts of men may profit by reading of them Psal 19.7 Prov. 1.4 Psal 119.130 Prov. 6.23 Psal 119.115 2 Pet. 1.19 Q. Seeing you affirme the Scriptures to be in themselves perspicuous and yet they seeem darke to many that read them tell me therefore to whom are the Scriptures plaine and easie to be understood A. To Spirituall and Regenerate Persons using the meanes which God hath appointed to bring us to the right understanding of the Scriptures All the words of wisdome are plaine to him that understandeth Prov. 8.9 1 Cor. 2.15 But to naturall and carnall men neglecting the meanes they seem very darke and obscure See 1 Cor. 2.14 2 Cor. 4.3 4. Q. Tell me then what are the ordinarie Meanes which are to be used to bring us to the right understanding of the Scriptures A. They are these 1. Humble and fervent prayers unto God we must entreat the Lord to open the eyes of our understanding that so we may understand the Scriptures Psal 119.18 68. Luc. 24.45 Prov. 2.2 2. Frequent and attentive reading with Confideration of all the circumstances of the Text. 3. Conference of other places we must compare Scripture with Scripture and expound one place of Scripture by another 4. We must get humble and docible hearts we must read the word with a desire to learne the Truth and with a purpose to submit unto it Psal 19.9.14 Prov. 8.32 5. We must mak conscience of the practice of what we know Joh. 7.17 Psal 119.100 6. We must with diligence attend upon the publick Ministrie of the Word 1 Thes 5.20 Q. How are the Scriptures divided A. Into the old and new Testament Q. How is the Old Testament divided A. Into the Law and the Prophets or Moses and the Prophets Mat. 11.13 Luc. 16.29.31 Q. Doth this Division comprehend the whole Old Testament A. Yes For by Moses we are to understand the five Books of Moses which containe the whole Law and by the Prophets we are to understand all those Books which the holy Prophets have written as expositions of the Law of Moses Luc. 24.27 Act. 28.23 Q. Whether are the books called Apocripha to be received as part of the Old Testament and accounted Canonicall Scripture or no A. The whole Old Testament from the begining of Genesis to the end of Malachy is Canonicall Scripture But the Bookes called Apocrypha are no part of this sacred Canon and therefore they are fitly distinguished from the authenticall Bookes of the old Testament by this title Apocripha Q. How may this appeare that these Apocryphall Bookes are not to be accounted Canonicall Scripture A. By these Arguments 1. All the Canonicall Books of the old Testament were written by Prophets in the Hebrew tongue But these Apocryphall bookes were not penned by Prophets neither were they written Originally in the Hebrew tongue 2. All the Canonicall Bookes of the Old Testament were committed to the Jewes and they weare faithfull Registers of them But the Jewes never received these Apocryphall bookes as Canonicall never kept them as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 3. Many errours and humane frailties are found in these Apocriphall Bookes which cannot agree to Bookes indited by the holy Ghost And therefore these Bookes are not to be accounted Canonicall Reade Tob. 6.6 7. Tob. 5.11 12. Tob. 12.15 compared with Rev. 8.2 3 4. 2 Macc. 14.37 41 42. and 2 Macc. 12.43 44. Eccles 46.20 compared with 1 Sam. 28.6 c. Q. What are the number of the Bookes that are to be accounted Canonicall A. The Canonicall Bookes of the Old Testament are thirtie nine the Canonicall Bookes of the New Testament are twentie seven Q. Why are the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament called Canonicall A. Because they containe the Canon or Rule of our Faith and