testimonies brought to confirme and demonstrate must be distinguished from the inward operation of the holy Ghost opening our eies to see the light shining in the Scripture and to discern the sense thereof 2. Cor. 1. 22 Q. These reasons may conuince any be he neuer so obstinate but are they sufficient to perswade the heart hereof A. No the testimonie of the 18 Spirit is necessarie q 1. Cor. 2. 14. and onely all-sufficient for this purpose r. 1. Ioh. 2. 20. 27. Expos 18. By nature we are blind in spirituall things 1. Cor. 2. 14. Matth. 15. 14. though therefore the Scripture be a shining light Psal 119. 105. yet vnlesse our eies be opened Psal 119. 18. Act. 26. 18. wee cannot see it no more then a blind man doth the Sunne Ioh. 1. 5. Thâ— Spirit is the author of supernatural light and faith 1. Cor. 2. 8 9. Eph. 1. 17. 1. Ioh. 5. 6. 10. by the inspiration thereof were the Scriptures written 2. Pet. 1. 21. the secrets of God are fully knowne vnto and effectually reuealed by the Spirit 1. Cor. 2. 10. the same law which is written in the Scriptures the Spirit doth write in the hearts of men that be indued therewith Esa 59. 21. Heb. 8. 10. For which reasons it must needs bee that the testimonie of the Spirit is all-sufficient to perswade and assure the heart that the Scriptures are the word of God To preuent mistaking therein obserue these rules 1. The Spirit of God doth assuredly perswade our consciences that the Scriptures are of God by enlightning our eyes to behold the light writing the law in our hearts sealing vp the promises to our consciences and causing vs sensibly to feele the effects therof 1. Cor. 2. 12. Luk. 24. 45. 1. Cor. 14. 37. Ier. 31. 33. 2. Cor. 1. 22. 1. Thes 1. 5. with 1. Thes 2. 13. Act. 16. 14. 2. This perswasion of the Spirit is more certain then can bee prooued with reason or expressed in words for things doubtfull may be proued but things in themselues most cleare and certain be aboue all proofe and reason as the shining of the Sunne needes not to be confirâ—ed by argument to him that hath his eyes open to see the light thereof 3. This testimonie of the Holy Ghost is certaine and manifest to him that hath the Spirit but priuate not publique testifying onely to him who is endued therof but not conuincing others not confirming doctrines to others 4. This testimonie of the Spirit is not to be seuered from the word which is the instrument of the holy Ghost and his publique testimonie It is not therefore iniurious to trie the Spirit by the word of God 1. Ioh. 4. 1. seeing there is a mutuall relation between the truth of the partie witnessing and the truth of the thing witnessed and the holy Spirit the author of the Scripture is euery where like vnto and doth euerie where agree with himselfe 5. The testimonie of the Spirit doth not teach or assure vs of the letterâ— syllabes or seuerall words of holy Scripture which are onely as a vessell to cary and conuey that heauenly light vnto vâ— but it doth seale in our hearts the sauing truth contained in those sacred writings into what language soeuer they be translated Eph. 1. 13. 6. The Spirit doth not lead them in whom it dwelleth absoluâ—ly and at once into all truth but into all truth necessarie to saluation and by degrees Ioh. 16. 13. with Act. 1. 6. 11. 2. so that holy men partakers of the same Spirit may erre in many things and dissent one from another in matters not fundamentall Q. What are the properties of the Scripture A. It is of 19 Diuine Å¿ 2. Tim. 3. 16. authoritie the rule 20 of t Eccl. 12. 10. Gal. 6. 16. faith and manners 21 u Rom. 10. 14. necessarie 22 w Psal 12. 6. pure 23 x Psal 19. 7. perfect and 24 y Prou. 8. 9. plain Expos 19. Such is the excellency of the holy Scripture aboue all other writings whatsoeuer 2. Tim. 3. 15. 2. Pet. 1. 19. that it ought to be credited in all narrations threatnings promises or prophesies 1. Tim. 1. 15. Heb. 11. 11. 2. Pet. 1. 19. and obeyed in all commaundements Iob 22. 22. Ier. 13. 15. Rom. 1. 5. God the Author thereof beeing of incomprehensible wisedome Psa 147. 5. great goodnesse Exod. 18. 9. Psa 34. 8. Rom. 11. 22. absolute power and dominion Gen. 17. 1. Psal 50. 1 â— and truth that can neither deceiue nor be deceiued Rom. 3. 4. Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. The authority of the Scripture doth onely and wholly depend vpon God the author of it and therefore though one part may be preferred before another in respect of excellencie of matter and vse Cant. 1. 1. 1. Tim. 1. 15. in authoritie and certaintie euery part is equall and onely Scripture is of diuine authoritie Gal. 1. 8. Mat. 17. 5. 1. Cor. 11. 23. 20. The Scriptures are the word of Christ Col. 3. 16. whose word is vpright Eccl. 12. 10. Phil. 3. 16. the first truth Heb. 13. 8. receiued by immediate diuine reuelation 2. Pet. 1. 21. and deliuered to the Church sufficient to make the man of God perfect in all good workes 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. the treasury whence all doctrines must be taken 1. Pet. 4. 11. Act 26. 22. Luk. 16. 29. the touchstone wherby they must be tried Act. 17. 11. Esa 8. 20. without which error in doctrine and manners is vnavoidable Matth. 22. 29. 21. In respect of substance the word of God was alwaies necessary Eph. 2. 20 without which we could neither knowe nor worship God aright Heb. 11. 3. 6. Matth. 22. 29. Ioh. 20. 31. 2. Tim. 3 16. Rom. 15. 4. Luk. 24. 26 27. In respect of the manner of reuealing in writing the Scriptures were neeessarie euer since it pleased God after that manner to make knowne his will Deut. 17. 18. Iosh 1. 8. Rom. 15. 4. Luk. 1. 3. Iude v. 3. and so shal be to the end of the world 1. Cor. 10. 11. Reu. 22. 18. 22. This blessed word of God is free from all euen the least staine of follie errour falshood or vniustice Psal 119. 138. 140. Prou. 30. 5. Ioh. 17. 17. all things being laid down holily and truely both for substance circumstance and manner of speaking Psal 51. 1. Matth. 1. 25. 23. Whatsoeuer was is or shall be necessary or profitable to be knowne beleeued practised or hoped for that is fully comprehended in the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles Luk. 16. â—9 31. Io. 5. 39. Rom. 15. 4. Gal. 1. 8. 9. 2. Tim. 3. 15. 16. 17. The perfection of the Scripture will more plainely appeare if we consider 1. That religion for the substance thereof was euer one and vnchangeable Heb. 13. 8. Eph. 4. 5. Iude. 3. Act. 26. 22. Tit. 1. 1. 2. 2. The lawe of God written by Moses and the Prophets did deliuer whatsoeuer
Sonne hath reuealed him Ioh. 1. 18. Matth. 11. 27. and the Gospel is an hidden misterie 1. Cor. 2. 7. 10. Rom. 16. 25. 26. so that we can knowe nothing of God vntill God himselfe manifesteth it vnto vs. Psal 103. 7. and 147. 19. 20. By the word of God we vnderstand the will of God reuealed to reasonable creatures teaching them what to doe beleeue and leaue vndone Deut. 29. 29. Q. What call you the word of God A. The d 2. Tim. 3. 16. holy Scripture 4 immediately 5 inspired which is contained in the books of the Old and New Testament Expos 4. This word of God hath heretofore been diuersely made known Heb. 1. 1. as by inspiration 2. Chro. 15. 1. Esa 59. 21. 2. Pet. 1. 21. Ingrauing in the heart Rom. 2. 14. visions Numb 12. 6. 8. Act. 10. 10 11. Apo. 1. 10. Dreames Iob 33. 14. 15. Gen. 40. 8. Vrim and Thummim Numb 27. 21. 1. Sam. 30. 7 8. Signes Gen. 32. 24. Exod. 13. 21. Audible voice Exod. 20. 1 2. Gen. 22. 11. 15. and lastly by writing Exod. 17. 14. This word so reuealed is by excellency called the Scripture Gal. 3. 22. Io. 10. 35. and the holy Scriptures Rom. 1. 2. in respect of God the Author Act. 1. 16. and 4. 25. the holy pen-men Luk. 13. 38. 2. Pet. 1. 21. the matter 1. Tim. 6. 3. Tit. 1. 1. and end thereof Rom. 15. 4. 2. Tim. 3. 17. The truth of God was deliuered to the Church in writing Deut. 31. 9. Hos 8. 12. Reu. 2. 1. that it might be preserued pure from corruption 2. Pet. 1. 12 13. 15. be better conueied to posterity Ier. 36. 27 28. Deut. 31. 9. be an infallible standerd of true doctrin and determiner of all controuersies Esa 8. 2. Mal. 4. 4. Deut. 17. 11. that our faith might be confirmed beholding the accomplishment of things prophesied 1. King 13. 2. comp 2. King 23. 16. Act. 17. 10. 11. and for the more full instruction of the Church the time of the Messias euer drawing on Mal. 4. 4. or beeing come Luk. 2. 3. 5. To be immediately inspired is to be as it were breathed and to come from the Father by the holy Ghost without all meanes And thus the holy Scriptures were inspired both for matter and words Luk. 1. 70. 2. Pet. 1. 21. Q. What are the books of the Old Testament A. Moses 6 and e Luk. 24. 27. the Prophets Expos 6. All the books of holy Scripture giuen by God to the Church of the Iewes are called the Lawe Luk. 16. 17. Ioh. 12. 34. and the Prophets Rom. 1. 2. and 16. 25. 26. because they were written by holy men stirred vp sanctified and inspired of God for that purpose 1. Pet. 1. 11. Heb. 1. 1. But ordinarily they are comprised vnder these two heads the lawe and the Prophets Matth. 22. 40. Act. 13. 15. Matth. 7. 12. or the lawe of Moses and the Prophets Act. 28. 23. or Moses and the Prophets Ioh. 1. 45. Luk. 16. 29. Moses beeing distinctly named from the rest because he was the first and cheife of the Prophets as the Psalmes are mentioned particularly Luk. 24. 44. because they are the choise and flower of all other Scripture Q. Which are the bookes of tâ—e newe Testament A. Mathew Marke Luke and the rest as they follow in our Bibles Q. How may it be prooued that those bookes are the word of God immediately inspired by the holy Ghost to the Prophets and Apostles A. 7 By the â— testimonie f 2. Pet. 1. 19. of the Church 9 constancie g Reu. 6. 9. of the Saints 10 miracles h 1. King 17. 24. Ioh. 3. 2. 1. Ier. 6. 16. Heb. 13. 8. wrought to confirme the truth and the 11 Antiquitie i thereof Expos 7. It is very expedient and necessary that all Christians of age and discreation should knowe that the Scriptures are the very word of God the immediate and infallible truth of God that is to be receiued obeied and beleeued For thereby we are the better fitted to heare read and recâ—eiue the word with attention ioy reuerence submission Act. 10. 33. and assurance of faith which being a diuine grace must haue a diuine foundation 2. Tim. 3. 15 16. 1. Ioh 5. 9. and being certaine must haue a sure ground euen the word of God Ioh. 5. 46. Eph. 2. 20. Rom. 4. 18. Also it ministers no small comfort in affliction and temptation that we knowe whom we haue trusted 2. Tim. 1. 12. Act. 5. 29. This must be knowne not by opinion or probable coniecture which may deceiue but by certain and distinct knowledge whereby we conceiue of things certaine certainely as they are and are assured that we conceiue of them none otherwise then as they are that we may be able to stop the mouthes of Atheists and Papists who carp against the truth 2. Cor. 13. 3. We come not to the vnderstanding hereof by sense or discourse of reason this matter is to be discerned and beleeued by faith But for the fuller clearing of the point sundry rules are to bee obserued both concerning faith and concerning the Scripture it selfe 1. Distinction must be made betweene certainty of faith and certainty of sense or sight Things beleeued in themselues are more certaine then things seen but they are not alwaies so apprehended by vs. Certainty of sight excludes doubtings so doth not certainty of faith it is sufficient that it preuaile against them Gen. 15. 6. 8. 1. Cor. 13. 9. 12. Iud. 6. 36 37 38. 2. Implicite faith by which wee confusedly beleeue that such bookes are the word of God not vnderstanding the sense of them is to be distinguished from explicite faith which is euer ioyned with a distinct and certain vnderstanding of the thing beleiued Ioh. 3. 2. 10. 3. Historical faith which stands in the certainty of the mind and beleeues God speaking in his word must bee distinguished from iustifying and sauing faith which containes the perswasion and confidence of the heart whereby we not only beleeue the word of God to be the cheife truth but also do embrace it as containing the cheife good of man Iam. 2. 19. Ioh. 5. 35. Heb. 6. 11. 10. 22. Eph. 3. 12. for all things in Scripture are not alike to be beleeued neither doe the same arguments serue to beget each faith 4. Concerning the Scripture wee must put a difference betweene the doctrine therin contained and the writing for the signe is for the sense and the knowledge and faith of both is not alike necessarie The doctrine was euer necessary to be beleeued the manner of reuealing was not alwaies Ioh. 8. 24. 5. Of doctrines some are simply necessary to saluation containing the maine grounds and cheife heads of Christian religion others are expositions or amplifications of the same very profitable but not of such necessitie 1. Cor. 3. 12. 13. Col. 2. 18. 19. Phil. 3. 15. 6. A distinction is to bee put
exactly agreeing with it selfe and with the whole Io. 5. 46. This may sufficiently appeare by comparing the prophesies of the old Testament touching Christ the calling of the Gentiles and reiection of the Iewes with the accomplishment of them declared in the Newe Gen. 3. 15. and 12. 4. and 49. 10. Numb 14. 17. Dan. 9. 25. Matth. 1. 18. Luk. 1. 55. and 24. 27. 44. Act. 26. 22. Deut. 32. 21. Mal. 1. 10. 11. Psal 2. 8. and 110. 2. Act. 11. 18. Psal 118. 22. 23. Matth. 21. 42. Such exact consent as here is to be found is impossible to be fained of men or Angels as the things foretold were remooued from their knowledge and finding out vntill they were reuealed These considerations giue strength to this argument 1. The length of time in which this writing continued viz. from Moses vntil Iohn which preuented all conceits of forgery since they were not written in one nor yet in many ages 2. The multitude of bookes that were written and of writers who were imployed in that seruice 3. The distance of place in which they were written which did hinder that the writers could not conferre together Ier. 2. 1. 2. and 36. 5. Ezeck 1. 1. 4. The silence of the aduersaries who in all that long space mentioned whiles the Scripture was in writing could neuer detect any thing in those bookes as false or erroneous whose silence is of great weight in this case because they were eie witnesses of those things which our Sauiour taught did and suffered according as it was prophesied of him so that they knowe the prophesies sauâ— the accomplishment of them and were acquainted with that which the Apostles had written If the Prophets or Apostles who wrote the same histories doe seeme to dissent in any circumstances this doth nothing derogate from their authority for in themselues they differ not the fault is our ignorance and apprehension by a right and iust interpretation they may easily be reconciled and the dissonancy which seemes to be amongst them in small things doth free them from all suspition of fraud and their sweet consent in all matters of importance doth conuince that they wrote by the guidance of the same Spirit If they had all written one thing they might seeme superfluous if each a new history there could appeare no steps of consent when they relate the same story with the same circumstances they haue their vse one sometimes speaking more plainely then the other and when they agree in matter but seeme to dissent in circumstance the truth is the more confirmed an argument of fuller credit may be drawne out of that dissent for as the Heathen man obserueth too exact diligence is neither approoued of al neither doth it want suspition To this sweete agreement of holy Scripture with it selfe it might be further added that it agreeth with all other truth whatsoeuer there is nothing true in diuinity which is false in Philosophie nothing in Phylosophie is repugnant to the truth in divinity but it may be ouerthrowne by the principles of right and true Phylosophie 15. The matter intreated of in holy Scripture is diuine and wonderfull It explicats vnto vs thâ— nature properties and high acts of God purely and holily It describs the person of Christ so fitly excellently and conueniently that if the mind of man consider it attentiuely of necessity it must acknowledge that it doth exceed the reach of a finite vnderstanding It discouers vnto vs the misery and corruption of man by nature incomprehensible loue of God in Iesus Christ towards man that happy reconciliation if we may so speake of his iustice and mercy by his infinite wisedom ordaining Iesus Christ to be our Mediator and it vnfolds the couenant of grace which God made with man after his fall all which can be drawn from no fountain but diuine reuelation 1. Cor. 2. 7. 8. Eph. 3. 4. 5. Col. 1. 26. The Scripture also containes the lawe of God which teacheth the dutie of man and that is wise and iust the Gentiles themselues being iudges Deu. 4. 5. 6. 7. In the precepts diuerse notes of diuinity may be obserued as 1. The surpassing excellencie of the act requiring that we should denie our selues and lead our liues according to the appointment of the Lord. Matth. 16. 24. 25. Rom. 8. 12. 13. 2. The wonderful equity that doth appeare in euery commaundement 3. The admirable strangenes of some acts which a naturall man would count foolishnes yet prescribed as necessary Io. 3. 36. and 8. 24. 4. The manner how obedience is required viz. that it proceed from a pure heart a good conscience and faith vnfained Deut. 6. 5. 1. Cor. 13. 2. 1. Tim. 1. 5. 5. And the perfection of the law commaunding and allowing all good but forbidding and condemning all sinne and wickednes of what kind soeuer Take a briefe veiwe of the ten commaundements are they not plaine pure briefe perfect iust extending to all binding the conscience and reaching to the very thoughts and doe not all these things commend vnto vs the iustice wisedome holines omnipotencie omniscience perfection and absolute soueraignty of the lawgiuer The promises and threatnings annexed to the law will suffer vs to acknowledge none other author of them but the Lord alone for none can make them but he he only can giue eternall life and inflict eternall condemnation Moreouer these are so set together with the commandements as they can mooue none but only the conscience of him who doth acknowledge the Commandements to be diuine 16. The ende of the Scripture is diuine viz. the glorie of God and the saluation of man not temporall but eternall The doctrines precepts prohibitions and narrations are all referred to the setting forth of Gods praise which shewes that they are from aboue Ioh. 7. 18. and 5. 41. and 8. 50. 54. Gal. 1. 10. And to speake truth what is more equal then that all things should returne thither whence thâ—y had their beginning This word also doth point out vnto man what true blessednes is and how he may be reconciled vnto God beeing lost by sinne which is a firme demonstration to prooue vnto vs the diuinitie thereof for what is more agreeable to the wisedom bountie mercy grace power of God then to restore man fallen and to make him partakers of eternall happinesse and who can shewe vnto man how hee may be admitted into Gods fauour hauing offended or direct lead him forward in the path of life but the Lord alone These arguments are of great force whether they bee seuerally or ioyntly considered and doe as strongly prooue that the Christian Religion is only true as any other reason can that there was is or ought to be any true religion 17. This testimonie of Scripture it selfe is most cleare certaine infallible publique and of it selfe worthy credit it beeing the testimonie of the Lord himselfe who is in all things to be beleeued But the external light of arguments and