Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	authority_n	believe_v	infallible_a	5,104	5	10.1902	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A20762	A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.	Downame, John, d. 1652.; Payne, John, d. 1647?, engraver.	1622 (1622)	STC 7143; ESTC S121690	1,341,545	1,134

2. Tim. 3. 15. 2 Iohn ver 1 4. our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope The Apostle Iohn likewise writing to children young and old men plainely implyeth that no age is exempted but euen little children must reade that they may be seasoned with the knowledge of Gods truth from their tender age like young Timothy and the children of the elect Lady and so being trayned vp in the way which they should chuse when they are old they will not depart from it and hauing this sound foundation of knowledge layd they may haue the building of faith and piety more easily erected and set vp in them And young men also must reade the Scriptures that being armed with this sword of the Spirit they may be the better enabled to resist the tentations of the diuell the world and their own flesh which in that age are most strong and violent Finally old men after they haue gotten much knowledge must still diligently studie the Scriptures that they may be the better confirmed and settled in the things which they know recall those things to memory which that age otherwise is apt to forget and that hauing knowne God and his Christ from the beginning not onely by reading and hearing but by much experience they may be refreshing and renewing this knowledge be the better able to walke themselues in this cleare light and guide and direct others also by their fatherly instructions in the right way that they should chuse But yet in a more speciall manner this dutie of reading the Law and Word of Deut. 17. 18 19 Iosh 1. 8. God is pressed vpon Princes and Gouernours that being inlightened with the knowledge of Gods will and truth they may themselues yeeld obedience vnto it seeing hereby they shall not onely saue their owne soules but also bee a meanes of the saluation of many others their liues and actions being exemplarie and powerfull to draw those which are vnder them to follow and imitate them in that which is either good or euill And also that hauing this light to guide them they may administer righteous iudgement and gouerne the people committed to their charge in the feare of the Lord establishing amongst them Gods true Religion and maintaining in all their dominions iustice and truth But aboue all others the Ministers of Gods Word are religiously bound to exercise themselues diligently in reading the Scriptures seeing they must not onely haue skill to direct themselues and their owne families but to instruct all others committed to their charge in the Word and will of God for the Priests lips Mal. 2. 7. must preserue knowledge and the people must seeke the Law at their mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts And he principally more then ordinary Christians must giue attendance to reading exhortation and doctrine 1. Tim. 4. 13 16. and continue in them because in so doing he shal both saue himselfe and those that heare him §. Sect. 2 That we are chiefly to be exercised in reading and studying of the Scriptures The second generall point to be considered is the subiect matter of our reading of which wee must make good choyce seeing it were much better not to reade at all then to spend our time in perusing such bookes as are prophane teaching nothing but vanitie and lyes wantonnesse ribaldry and contempt both of Religion common honesty in which number are books of scurrilous iests plaies and Machiauellian policie For as we say in the prouerbe Where God hath his Church there the diuell hath his chappell and apishly imitating the diuine Maiesty that he may blinde his followers get from them the like glory and especially that he may disgrace Gods holy ordinances as God hath his Sacraments Ceremonies so he will haue his to seale vp to his vassals their more assured condemnation And as God hath his bookes of holy Scriptures contayning his will and Lawes for the sanctifying and gouerning of his people so the deuill will haue scribes inspired with his will to set forth bookes of hellish impieties and damnable policies for the corrupting of mens iudgements the poisoning of their hearts and manners and the trayning vp and gouerning of his subiects in all sinne and wickednesse And therefore all those who desire to please God in the duties of a godly life must with as much care flee such bookes as Mariners doe the rockes and sands and as they professe themselues Gods seruants so they must make choyce of such bookes as will better their knowledge and practice in his Lawes as they professe themselues of the Christian Religion so they must read and studie such bookes as being religious will further them in Christianity and enable them to performe vnto God more diligent and faithfull seruice In which respect the Booke of holy Scriptures contained in the Old and New Testament is to be preferred aboue all others seeing it is the foundation and ground of them all which hauing God for it Author is of infallible truth and is to be beleeued in its owne sole authority and needeth not the confirmation of reason or any humane testimony but shineth like the Sunne in it owne light Whereas all writings of men who are subiect to errours are onely so far foorth to be beleeued and imbraced as they are consonant and agreeable with it For all men are lyers and through their ignorance subiect to errors apt to deceiue and to be deceiued and therefore are no further to be credited then as their sayings and works are approoued by the Canon and rule of Gods infallible truth Besides that the Word of God is of more maiesty power efficacie then any mortall mans and his more immediate ordinance which being more effectually assisted and wrought into our mindes and hearts by his holy Spirit is of greater efficacie for the inlightening of our vnderstandings the mollifying of our hearts the strengthening of our Faith and sanctifying of our affections then all other writings without it And this Dauid found by experience professing that by studying and meditating in the Booke and Law of God he became wiser then the Ancients and of more vnderstanding then his teachers Psal 119. 9● 100. §. Sect. 3 Their obiection answered who pretend the obscurity of the Scriptures Neither let any man pretend that the Scriptures are of such difficulty and so hard to be vnderstood that priuate men must not presume to Psal 19. 7 8. Pro. 1. 4. read them seeing they haue plainely taught vs that the Law of the Lord inlighteneth the eyes and maketh wise the simple And wise Salomon telleth vs that this was one chiefe end of his penning that portion of holy Scripture that he might giue subtilty that is more then common knowledge to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion So that though the Scriptures finde men simple and ignorant yet they doe not leaue them so seeing they

bring the poynt in hand within the compasse and reach of our vnderstandings Which when wee haue done we must further amplifie and inlarge our matter that yet our minds may more cleerly and distinctly conceiue and comprehend it and our willes hearts and affections may afterwards worke vpon and apply it for better and more plentifull vse in the inflaming of our loue and stirring vp our deuotion by bringing it through the common places of inuention according to the rules of art which being but the polishing and perfecting of naturall reason it will not seeme hard or strange vnto vs if we haue but the helpe of some good directions and fit examples for our imitation Now these places of which I speake are the causes of all kinds as the efficient cause procreant or conseruant principall or instrumentall the matter of which and the forme by which it existeth the finall cause for which it is and whereunto it tendeth the effects and fruits of it the subiect place wherein it is or the obiect about which it is exercised the adiuncts properties and as we call them the appurtenances belonging to it what things are diuers from it or opposite or contrary vnto it either in relation or nature The things whereunto it may bee compared either in quantity or quality and by what similitudes it may be illustrated and made thereby both more easie and familiar and more fit to make in the memory a deeper impression and to worke with greater efficacy vpon the heart and affections The names and titles of it which being rightly giuen doe shew the nature of the thing which is called by them The which are best considered when wee define the thing whereof wee meditate where beginning with the name of the thing defined wee may proceed to the parts of the definition But aboue all other places we are to preferre the diuine testimonies of holy Scriptures which are most effectuall for the inlightening of the vnderstanding the conuincing of the iudgement the perswading and inclining of the will and the working of the poynt in hand vpon the heart and affections In which respect it is most profitable that we call to our remembrance those places which are fittest for our purpose to prooue or illustrate the matter in hand and to apply them for the strengthening and confirming of all the other places of inuention as proofes of them orderly proceeding from one to another in that method and manner before expressed To all which purposes the testimonies of holy Scriptures are most pregnant powerfull and profitable for howsoeuer humane testimonies are aboue all other arguments of least authority and efficacy in any art because their whole strength resteth vpon the credit of men who are all liers and subiect to errours yet in matters of Diuinity testimonies of holy Scripture are of greatest validity and authority and farre aboue all other arguments and proofes produced by humane reason seeing they are the Oracles of God who being truth it selfe can neither deceiue nor be deceiued and being sufficient to all spirituall vses will yeeld vnto vs plentifull matter to furnish our meditations though we were vnable to make vse of the other Notwithstanding those other helpes by bringing the poynt in hand through all the common places of inuention especially these testimonies of Scripture being ioyned with all and euery of them to confirme and strengthen them are not to be neglected because they will much further vs in our orderly proceeding and for the amplifying and inlarging cleering and prouing the poynt whereon we meditate and furnishing vs with variety of matter Yet heere too much curiosity is to be auoyded in bringing euery poynt through euery head or common place of inuention because euery theame whereon we meditate will not admit such considerations As God infinite in all perfection and farre aboue the reach of humane reason cannot in our meditations of him be brought through the most of those common places seeing he hath no causes being Iehouah the cause of causes and hauing his being in himselfe giueth being to all things Neither hath he if we speake properly any place seeing hee containeth all things and is contained of nothing nor any accidents or qualities seeing all his attributes and properties are his Essence nor any contraries seeing there cannot be the like reason of things finite and him that is infinite and nothing can truly oppose his omnipotent nature although they doe it in shew and in our weake apprehension neither can hee be compared in quantity or quality seeing he is aboue all comparison and nothing is equall or like vnto him And finally he is not subiect to any distribution being a most simple nature and indiuisible who hath neither Genus nor species parts nor members nor vnto any definition seeing his infinite nature is vnsearchable howsoeuer he may be described by that which he is not rather then by that he is though he be the chiefe being that wee may in some darke manner conceiue of him in our shallow capacity Besides there are other theames which we cannot bring through diuers of these heads without much difficulty especially the specificall matter and formes which in most things are vnknowne vnto vs. And therefore our course must be among many places of inuention to take those which being most pregnant and profitable doe with some ease offer themselues to our meditations as the causes efficient and effects properties and qualities and not tye our selues too strictly to finde out all which would rather distract then helpe vs in this exercise But chiefly aiming in all this discourse of our vnderstanding at the right vse and maine end of it which is not curiously to play the Artists but to spend our time in a religious exercise for the increase of our deuotion our inriching with spirituall grace and for the strengthening of vs vnto all duties of a godly life when we finde any difficulty in our inuention or stop in our way we must passe by it and thinke on that which is next and more easie to bee found §. Sect. 3 That we are in our meditations chiefly to respect our will harts and affections our liues and actions And thus we are to proceed in the first part of meditation which respecteth the discourse of our mind and vnderstanding The second part respecteth the practique faculties the will heart and affections the life and actions vnto which in this exercise we are to haue chiefe regard that they may thereby be sanctified and nourished in all spirituall graces and strengthened to the performance of all holy duties with cheerfulnesse and delight Neither is it sufficient that we do by the former meanes prouide plenty of spirituall food fit for the nourishment of our soules vnlesse we also feed vpon it and apply it vnto them for their speciall vse It is not enough that wee prepare abundant meanes and matter for our spirituall good vnlesse wee fit and apply them to those ends and vses for

naturally in vs no drop of grace and goodnesse but what we receiue from God who is the inexhaustible fountaine of euery good and perfect gift as the Apostle telleth vs. Now as hee Iam. 1. 17. hath appointed Christ to be the Conduit head so prayer to be as it were the Pipe whereby he will conuay vnto vs these waters of Life which if we intermit not hee will richly replenish vs with all his graces but if we neglect this holy duty and yet imagine to receiue any grace or spirituall strength from him it is all one as if we should cut off the pipe and yet imagine to fill the empty cisterne §. Sect. 3 That all the parts of prayer are singular helpes to a godly life Finally all the parts of Prayer seuerally serue as speciall meanes to further vs in the duties of a godly life For first the confession of our sinnes will withhold vs from the committing of them whilest aggrauating bewayling and adiudging our selues for them to those fearefull punishments which they haue iustly deserued our hearts are wrought vnto a true hatred of them when as we see and acknowledge the miserable fruits which spring from this cursed roote Secondly because wee cannot for shame commit those sinnes willingly which we haue humbly confessed and God hath graciously pardoned For what malefactour is so impudent as to commit those crimes againe which his Prince of meere loue hath lately remitted and whilest he hath as it were his pardon in his hand especially when he knovveth that he must the next day againe be arrained for them and stand at the barre at his Soueraignes mercy Thirdly because by often confession vve search out our hidden sinnes and ransacke our hearts and consciences so as they cannot lye lurking in them but are apprehended condemned and dravvne out to execution Lastly because vpon our confession receiuing at Gods hands assurance of pardon Pro. 28. 13. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. Luk. 7. 47. according to his gracious promises wee cannot but intirely loue him who hath forgiuen vs so great a debt whereby wee shall bee made loth to doe any thing which may displease him and ready to performe all good duties which may bee acceptable in his sight By petition also wee haue no lesse helpe seeing thereby wee come to a more thorow sight of our wants which worketh in vs an hungring and thirsting desire that they may bee supplied and of our imperfections in our best duties that wee may striue and labour after more perfection carefully and conscionably vsing all good meanes whereby our desires may bee satisfied seeing if wee should neglect them after wee haue made these earnest suites we should both tempt the Lord and discouer our owne grosse hypocrisie in asking those things which wee care not to obtaine Againe by these suites and requests made vnto God according to his Luk. 11. 13. will wee receiue the gift of his holy Spirit which inableth vs to all good duties by regenerating and sanctifying vs seeing God hath promised to giue him vnto those that aske him and together with him wee obtaine all Gods sanctifying gifts and graces which by the same meanes are daily confirmed and increased in vs and haue such a quickning power vertue and vigour added vnto them that they inable vs to the constant performance of all Christian duties which otherwise lying dull and dead in vs wee should become like a body without spirits lumpish and lazie in Gods seruice Finally by these suites and requests our loue is inflamed vpon our assurance that they are heard and granted which stirreth vs vp to yeeld vnto God cheerefull obedience our faith is confirmed and our affiance and hope strengthened in assured confidence and expectation of Gods helpe and assistance which will vphold vs when we are ready to faint inable vs to ouercome all difficulties and to performe all the duties of a godly life with much comfort and delight Lastly thanksgiuing is a singular helpe to the same end whilest we recount and call to minde Gods manifold blessings and rich mercies which of meere grace without any desert of ours he hath from time to time multiplied vpon vs. All which if we be not too too vngratefull will bee so many strong bands of loue to tye vs vnto obedience and to make vs cheerefull in all Christian duties seeing by them we serue so bountifull a Master which if we neglect to doe we shall play the notable hypocrites in professing that thankfulnesse with our lips which we neither haue in our hearts nor take any care to expresse in our liues CAP. XXVIII Of reading the Scriptures and other religious writings §. Sect. 1 Who are to exercise themselues in this dutie of reading THe second priuate meanes of a godly life which may be vsed by our selues alone or with others is reading which is the perusing and studying of religious writings for the information of our iudgements in the knowledge of God and his truth the sanctifying of our hearts and affections and the reforming of our liues and conuersations The which exercise may be performed when we are alone by the sight of the eye and the discourse of the minde either with or without the vse of speech but with all necessarily ioyned together when we performe this dutie with others In speaking whereof let vs first generally obserue who are to reade and then the sub●ect matter which is to be read of them For the first all sorts and conditions of men without exception are tyed to this dutie who are any way able to performe it both the learned and vnlearned the Ministers and common people the poore and rich men women yong old and of middle age seeing the Lord in the Scriptures hath imposed it as necessary and profitable for all men Thus he requireth that not onely the Leuites but his whole people of Israel should continually studie in the Booke of his Law and take all good occasions to speake and talke of it in all places that they should binde the words of it Deut. 6. 7 8 9. Matth. 22. 29. for a signe vpon their hands and that they should bee as frontlets betweene their eyes and that they should write them vpon the posts of their house and on their gates to no other end but that they might often take occasion thereby to reade and study them Our Sauiour Christ also doth exhort all to search the Scriptures and affirmeth this to bee the cause of all errours Ioh. 5. 39. both in iudgement and manners because men were not well acquainted with them And the Apostle Peter writing generally to all saith that hauing a more sure word of prophecie that is more infallible then any reuelations therefore they did well that they did take heede vnto it as vnto a 2. Pet. 1. 19. light that shineth in a darke place And the Apostle writing vnto the Romanes saith that whatsoeuer things were written aforetime were written for Rom. 15. 4.