me by some learned Men that have seen those Papers That being fit only for the View of the Learned and alas not for all of them neither it should have bin dress'd up and sent abroad in a learned Habit but falling only accidentally upon that Question I spun out my thoughts upon it by degrees after the same rate that I had begun it till I had finisht my Web and don't think it now worth while to put it into a new dress but e'en let it go as it is and approve it self to the Candid Reader as well as it can The Third Discourse treats of a nice and curious Point The Testimony of the Spirit which is not so much a matter of Speculation as Experience Concerning which I know nothing that has bin publisht of late about it distinctly by it self and therefore perhaps it may find the better Acceptance with the Reader especially if he be one that has his Senses exercised about such things Sa. Clark The CONTENTS § 1. THE Unsearchableness of God's Works § 2. Especially of the Work of the Spirit upon the Souls of men § 3. And more especially as to the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures § 4. La Mothe's Account of it § 5. The Nature of it open'd in several Propositions 1. Prop. The Holy Scriptures contain matters of several sorts § 6. 2. Prop. All Scripture of what sort soever is by Inspiration from God § 7. Proved by Parts 1. Concerning the Scriptures of the Old Testament that they are divinely inspired is proved 1. By the Testimonies of Paul and Peter 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 which are open'd § 8. 2. By a distinct consideration of the several Books 1. Of Moses § 9. 2. Of the Historical Books § 10. 3. Of Job § 11. 4. Of the Psalms and Prophets § 12. 3. By many Passages which must be the immediate dictates of the Holy Spirit § 13. 2. The Scriptures of the New Testament proved to be God-inspir'd by several Arguments § 14. 3. Prop. The Persons inspired had the use of their Reason and Understanding § 15. 4. Prop. The Holy Ghost made use of the Natural Abilities of the Persons inspired § 16. 5. Prop. The Holy Ghost accommodated his Inspiration to the particular Genius of every Writer § 17. 6. Prop. This Inspiration included many things in it 1. The Holy Ghost stirr'd 'em up to write § 18. 2. He set 'em their Task § 19. 3. He inlighten'd their minds and gave 'em a distinct understanding of what was to be deliver'd by ' em § 20. Show'd 1. In the Historical Parts § 21. 2. In the Prophetical § 22. 3. In the Writings of the Apostles § 23. The several steps by which knowledge was communicated to them § 24. But to Paul it was all at once Several peculiar Privileges belonging to him § 25. 4. He strengthned their Memories § 26. 5. He directed 'em what Matters of Fact to insert § 27. 6. He call'd forth those images of things which were laid up in their minds § 28. 7. He suggested to 'em immediately what was matter of pure Revelation § 29. 8. He had a general Instruction over the whole to make it a compleat Rule both of Faith and Life § 30. 7th and Last Prop. The whole Scripture both in respect of Matter and Words is of Divine Inspiration § 31. Proved by several Passages of Scripture § 32. And by Testimonies of Learned Men. § 33. The Sum of the whole showing the distinct Share both of the Holy Ghost and Pen-men of the Scriptures There is extant also of the same Author ANnotations on the Bible with Parallel Scriptures much more largely than in any other Edition and a Concordance Sold by Jon. Robinson and Brab Aylmer A Survey of the Bible Or An Analytical Account of the Bible by Chapter and Verse by way of Supplement to the Annotations 4 to Printed for Jon. Robinson Price 8 s. A Brief Concordance of the most usual and useful Places so that one shall seldom have occasion to look into a large Concordance as has been found by Experience In large Twelves Sold by J. Robinson Price 2 s. An Abridgment of the Historical Parts of the Scripture In Twelves Printed for J. Robinson Price 1 s. Of Scandal Wherein these weighty Questions are fully discust 1. Whether things Indifferent become Necessary when commanded by Authority Neg. 2. Whether things Scandalous being enjoined may lawfully be done Neg. 3. How far forth we are bound in Conscience to obey Humane Laws With others Together with An Exercitation on Matth. XV. 1 -9 Sold by T. Parkhurst Price 9 d. An Ordination Sermon on Acts XIII 2 3. Printed for J. Lawrence Scripture-Justification Printed for T. Parkhurst Price 1 s. 6 d. ERRATA In the Exercitation PAge 5. l. 15. for Megittoth read Megilloth p. 6. l. 14 begin the Break at I find and l. 15 16. r. Chapters both between p. 14. l. 16. for 13. r. 3. p. 40. l. 12. for his r. this p. 43. l. last the Hebrew words at the bottom of the page should have been inserted between the Crotchets in the 3d line of the Margin and read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Testimony Page 8. l. 2. before Nil add This is p. 19. l. 32. for Whetstone r. White stone p. 23. l. 23. for great r. other p. 27. l. 29. for where r. when p. 29. l. 7. for wrapt r. rapt If there be any other Faults the Reader is desired to Excuse 'em for the Author did not see all the Sheets An Exercitation Disquisition or Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures § 1. THE Works of God in general are very unsearchable by any humane Understanding Great things doth he which we cannot comprehend saith Elihu Job 37. 5 nor find out v. 23. So that No man can know the work that God doth from the beginning to the end as Solomon assures us Eccles 3. 11. Particularly Concerning the Works of Providence the Psalmist pronounces of 'em that they are a great deep Psal 36.6 and again 77.19 Thy way is in the sea and thy path in great waters and thy footsteps are not known This moved Zophar to put the question to Job c. 11. 7 8. Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection It is high as heaven What canst thou do deeper than hell what canst thou know The consideration whereof drew that Exclamation or Admiration from the great Apostle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out Rom. 11.36 § 2. But especially the Work of the Spirit in and upon the Souls of Men is very mysterious and incomprehensible as to the finer strokes of it Our Saviour Christ compares it to the Wind Joh. 3.8 The Wind blows where it listeth and thou hearest the sound thereof
but canst not tell whence it comes and whither it goes So is every one that is born of the Spirit As the Effects of the Wind are sensible and discernible enough but the Manner is unaccountable so the effects of the Work of the Spirit are evident enough but the Manner is very mysterious and incomprehensible § 3. This may be applied among other things to the Inspiration of the Spirit in the holy Men of God the Penmen of Scripture That it is so that they were Divinely inspir'd we have demonstrative proof and evidence sufficient but the Manner of it is not obvious nor easily understood yet it is sought out of all them that have pleasure therein as the Psalmist speaks c. 111. 2. This therefore I shall endeavour to open and explain pro modulo meo so far forth as I can attain unto and to adjust the bounds and fix the limits as near as I can between the Holy Ghost and the holy Men of God and shew the Work and share of each in this performance and that because there is none that I have met with in the narrow compass of my Reading that has handled it to my satisfaction Wherein I implore the Assistance of that Holy Spirit the Inditer of the Holy Scriptures that I may steer an even course without turning aside to the right hand or to the left by attributing either too much or too little to either of 'em but may render to God the things that are God's and to Man the things that are Man's § 4. There is indeed a late Author La Mothe who has written a Discourse upon this Subject Intitled The Inspiration of the New Testament asserted and explain'd I shall first give an account of his Explication and then offer my own sense and thoughts to consideration His Judgment in the case he expresses thus That we may have a distinct Idea of the Inspiration of the Holy Writings 't is requisite to distinguish the things which they contain which I shall do into three Orders In the first I shall put the Revelations The second is for those things which the Apostles learnt by the natural assistances of their Hearing and Sight In the third you shall see the Progress which they made by reasoning upon the Truths of the two first Orders So that you see the Apostles wrote things which they knew by Revelation by Sense or by Reasoning P. 103. In reference to the Revelations which the Apostles had he saith The Holy Ghost acts two ways in relation to the Truths which he has revealed by the Apostles First he suggested those Truths which he imprinted in their Souls by some of those ways which I have set down wherein the Apostles were in a passive disposition like a piece of Cloth that receives the Colours 'T is in this manner that they were instructed but when they set themselves to instruct others and communicate in writing what the Holy Ghost had taught 'em he acted after another manner he pusht 'em forward to write he strengthned and refresht their Memories and so directed their Pens that they wrote nothing which was not to the purpose and according to the most exact Rules of Truth There was then in the written Revelations which they have left us two sorts of Inspiration Inspiration of Suggestion and Inspiration of Direction P. 108. He suggested to 'em those things that they knew not but as for those things which they knew they had need only of his Direction to render 'em infallible in their Writings P. 109. And presently after he speaks to this purpose That some things they knew by their Education others by common Conversation Concerning these a new Suggestion was absolutely needless because Miracles are not to be multiplied without necessity Therefore he did not whisper into the Ears of the Apostles what they knew before He was not obliged to begin but where Nature had ended It was enough that he spake when she became silent Let us not imagine that he was only a Spectator of the Functions of Nature He brought her to Perfection and hindred her from going astray P. 111. The share which we believe the Holy Ghost had in the writing of those things which they knew before is 1. That he was the Primum Mobile of the Composition 't was he that set the Apostles at work whether it were in furnishing 'em with Occasions and Subjects to write upon or whether it were by secretly stirring 'em up to write I may say He put the Pen in their Hands 2. He presided in the Choice of the Matter which was to be put into the work not suffering the Apostles to write any thing but what was true and to the purpose This is an Inspiration of Direction nor does there need any more to be said as to the Truths which they had heard and seen P. 112. He let 's 'em alone when they go right and when they are about to miscarry he brings 'em back again P. 121. For their own Reasonings 'T is known saith he to be the usual custom of the Apostles to accompany the Truths which the Spirit suggested to 'em with certain Reflections e.g. St. Peter joining the Vision of the Sheet to the Vision that was seen by Cornelius Of a truth saith he now I perceive that God is no respecter of persons c. St. Paul after he had declared what the Spirit had said in express terms touching such as would depart from the Faith makes a short Discourse upon it 1 Tim. 4.1 When thus they reason'd upon the Oracles the Apostles had no need of being inspir'd to take the word in a sense of Suggestion Their Reason fortified and guided by the Holy Ghost whose Instruments they were was sufficient for 'em to find out in the revealed Propositions the Conclusions that were included in ' em Natural Logick would have served the Turn Here we have no recourse to the Holy Ghost but to warrant the Infallibility of the Reflection of the Apostles P. 113 114. This is the substance of the whole of his Judgment herein But this account seems to me very lame and defective and also Derogatory to the Majesty and Authority of the Holy Scriptures and therefore I have bestow'd some thoughts upon it for my own satisfaction which I have muster'd up together and drawn forth in these ensuing Propositions § 5. Prop. I. The Holy Scriptures contain Matter of several sorts The Subject Matter of the Holy Scriptures is various and of divers sorts Some Parts of the Scripture are Historical recording what has bin done in former times Some are Prophetical foretelling what shall be done hereafter Some Doctrinal teaching what we must Believe and some Practical acquainting us with our Duty which we must do or leave undone And these are interwoven with Precepts Prohibitions Promises Threatnings Prayers Soliloquies and the like It is necessary that we distinguish these well the one from the other because they require several sorts of Inspiration as will
THE Divine Authority OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES Asserted in Two DISCOURSES The former shewing The Nature and Extent of the Inspiration vouchsaf't by the Holy Ghost to the Penmen of the Scriptures and the distinct share of each therein The latter shewing the Divine Authority of the Vowels and Accents in the Hebrew Text by new and intrinsick Arguments in a Discourse concerning the Division of the Bible into Chapters and Verses To which is added A Discourse concerning the Testimony of the Spirit on Rom. 8.16 By SAM CLARK M. A. LONDON Printed for Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lyon in St. Paul's Church-yard 1699. THE PREFACE WHAT Assaults have bin made of late Years upon the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures is not unknown to those that think it their concern to attend unto such matters This was done more closely and covertly divers Years ago by F. Simon in his Critical History of the Old Testament In reference to which that very Learned and Judicious Divine Mr. W. Lorimer hath translated and publisht A Vindication of the five Books of Moses with an Appendix of his own in Answer to F. Simon 's Exceptions A more open Attack was made upon it by the Author of the five Letters These were first answer'd among us by Mr. Louth an ingenious Member of the famous University of Oxford I was much pleas'd with the Candour of a passage in his Preface In the last place saith he I must desire of those who think I have not carried the Inspiration of the Scriptures so high as I ought not to be angry with me or uncharitably to censure me as if I design'd to betray the Cause which I pretend to maintain but if they are not satisfied with my performance to undertake the Argument themselves and do Justice to so good a Cause I assure them I shall heartily wish 'em Success in their Undertaking and shall be glad if my Arguments appear weak because their's are stronger for I can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth p. 16. After him comes Mr. La Mothe who takes notice of that passage and makes use of it as an Invitation to his Undertaking and withal adds If my Example should excite some others to write upon the same Subject the Publick will be oblig'd to me for it In that Discourse of his he hath fully and satisfactorily Vindicated the Divine Inspiration of the Books of the New Testament so that those Letters may be dismiss'd from any further Consideration being solidly and fully answer'd But as to what Mr. La Mothe offers concerning the Nature of that Inspiration I am not so well satisfied It seemed to me very defective which excited me to seek after further satisfaction Whereupon I perused all those Authors within the compass of my Curta supellex wherein I might reasonably expect to have met with something that might have quench'd my Thirst but returned with my Pitcher empty Thereupon I fell a plowing with my own Heifer and that which follows is the Crop which the Reader may reap if he thinks it worth while to bestow so much pains upon it And this I intend only as Cumulative to what is deliver'd by Mr. Louth and La Mothe Besides this late debate there has bin another Controversy of longer standing which has bin hotly canvast and contested pro and con between the most learned Pens on both sides which has a great influence upon the divine Authority of the holy Scriptures also viz. about the Original of the Vowels and Accents in the Hebrew Text of the Old Testament Much confidence or according to modish word Assurance has bin show'd on both sides This point was studied by me when I was in the University above fifty Years ago And since then I have bin looking into what I met with on that subject Of late I have bestow'd some thoughts upon it upon this occasion Being desired to draw up A brief Concordance to be added to the third Edition of Mr. Pool's Annotations I intended to Preface it with an Account of the Division of the Bible into Chapters and Verses the foundation of all exact Concordances and without which they cannot but be very lame and defective Thereupon making Enquiry into the Original of the Chapters and Verses in the Old Testament it naturally led me into that weighty Controversy about the Authority of the Points in the Hebrew Text which occasion'd it's growth into a larger bulk than was fit for a Preface whereupon I was feign to slip it off and separate it from that Root and so it grew up into a distinct Discourse by it self wherein the Reader will meet with something not to be found else where for I would not trouble the World with old matters new vamp't up When this Discourse was first conceived and brought forth which was some Years ago as they say the Eagle tries her young ones by exposing 'em to the light of the Sun so being desirous that the Truth and Soundness of my Notion might be thorowly tried I sent it to some learned Persons for their Opinion about it I found that they had a different apprehension of the Controversy from mine and made some slight Objections against my judgment of it but none of 'em did attempt any Answer to any of my Arguments or endeavour in the least to overthrow the foundation of my Building viz. The Connection between the Verses Accents and Vowels which confirmed me in my Opinion that it is built upon good Grounds because the most learned Persons that have perused it have so little to object against it The most considerable Objection made by a very learned judicious Divine was not so much against my Opinion it self as that it is not sufficiently proved that all the Hebrew Accents are and must be coetaneous with the Verses and Language I grant that my Argument does not directly prove that All the Accents are Coevous with the Vowels but only Athnach and Silluk But then if it be consider'd that they all have a dependance one upon another i. e. the Duces and Subditi or Ministri upon the Reges then the proving of some of 'em to be coetaneous with the Vowels and Verses bids fair for the proof of 'em all The Usefulness of the Accents and their intimate connection with and dependance one upon another is very fully shewed of late by Mr. Walter Cross in his Taghmical Art as he calls it tho' I should think according to the Rules and Analogy of Grammar it should rather be called the Tangnamical Art as from Talmud Talmudical for the Noun Substantive is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tangnam an Accent which very well deserves the diligent Study of all those that desire to be exact in the Hebrew Tongue and consequently in the understanding of the Scriptures of the Old Testament only one great Disaster has befallen it which probably might come to pass by his Illness or Death that it is very false Printed It has bin suggested to
appear in what follows § 6. Prop. II. It is the Property and Prerogative of all Scripture of what sort soever to be by Inspiration of God This not being my main business but only in order to it as I pass along I shall not go far for evidence but content my self with such Proofs as are ready at hand and offer themselves willingly to my thoughts § 7. This Proposition I shall prove particularly and by Parts in reference to the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament Wherein it is not so much my purpose to convince or confute Antiscripturists this has been done abundantly and unanswerably by many more able and learned Pens as to confirm honest humble Souls that are willing to be satisfied by such plain intrinsick Arguments as are contained in and taken out of the Bowels of the Scripture it self First The Scriptures of the Old Testament are by Inspiration of God This I shall prove 1. By the Testimony of the two great Apostles Peter and Paul It is expresly affirmed by the Apostle Paul 2 Tim. 3.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All Scripture not only some parts of such and such Books but the whole Scripture and whole of Scripture Whatsoever comes under the name of Scripture without any distinction or difference by whomsoever written is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-inspired Not All Scripture that is God-inspired as the Polonian-Merchants would have it as if there were some that were not so for the Verb Substantive must needs be understood between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because the Conjunction comes between which renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be the second Epithet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the first Here are two things affirmed concerning the Scripture as Estius observes 1. It s Authority that it is from God 2. It s Utility that it is profitable for the Ends and Purposes following This then must needs include at least all the Scriptures of the Old Testament Again The Apostle Peter also affirms the same 2 Pet. 1.21 For the prophecy came not in old time or rather at any time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Where observe 1. The Subject he speaks of with the Title whereby he expresses it Prophecy which is not to be understood strictly for the Foretelling of things to come or the Writings only of the Prophets but largely for any Revelation or Discovery of the Will of God to the Penmen of Scripture This appears by v. 19. where he saith We have a more sure word of Prophecy that is of the Revelation of the Will of God viz. in Scripture in contradistinction to the Revelation of God's Will in that Voice that came from Heaven to Christ at his Transfiguration whereto you do well to give heed This is a duty that belongs to the whole Scripture of the Old Testament as well as to the Prophetical parts and therefore includes the whole Hence all the Penmen of the Old Testament are called Prophets Eph. 2.20 Rom. 16.26 And therefore the word Prophecy here must include the whole Of this Voice he shews the Original and that both Negatively It came not by the Will of man It was not the Conception Composure Indictment or Product of mens own Brains nor the Suggestion of their own Spirits They were not the first Movers in this Work But Positively holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Where observe 1. The primum mobile or first Mover the Holy Ghost 2. The Instrumental Cause or Instruments he made use of holy men of God Such were all the Penmen of the several Books of the Old Testament 3. What befel 'em How it fared with 'em in this Work when they wrote these Books they were moved by the Holy Ghost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As the Writings of the Scriptures were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Paul so the Writers were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to Peter here acted and moved by the Holy Ghost under his immediate Conduct and impulse As the Spirit came upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost as a rushing mighty wind Act. 2.2 the same word is used there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so he rushed in a powerful manner upon these holy men of God the Penmen of the holy Scriptures 4. When or upon what Occasion it was thus with 'em It was in reference to what they spake which includes their Writing also For the Prophets did deliver all their Prophesies to the People by word of mouth first and then wrote 'em down afterwards as appears by some Passages in Jeremy But for some other parts of Scripture they were only written yet this Writing or what was so written was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Paul assures us in the place beforementioned Besides The Subject that Peter is here treating of is the whole Scripture as appears by the Context v. 19. and I proved before And so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used concerning the whole Scripture Acts 2.31 David spake of the Resurrection of Christ viz. Psal 16.10 i. e. wrote So Acts 3.24 All the Prophets from Samuel and those that follow after as many as have spoken have likewise foretold of these days Rom. 3.19 Whatsoever the law i. e. the whole Scripture of the Old Testament as appears by the foregoing words saith it saith to them that are under the law Hence the Scriptures in general are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 § 8. 2. That the Scriptures of the Old Testament are by Divine Inspiration I prove by a distinct view and consideration of the several Books of the Old Testament whereby it will appear that there is an evident character and stamp of Divinity imprinted upon ' em First For the Books of Moses They contain an account of many things before his own Time which he must have either by Revelation Tradition or Writings and Records 1. Some things must of necessity be by Revelation As What God said to Cain Gen. 4.6 7 9 c. for it 's very unlikely that Cain himself would tell it to any So Lamech's Speech to his Wives v. 23 24. God's purpose to destroy the Old World by the Flood ch 6. 3 c. God's accepting of Noah's Sacrifice ch 8. 21. he said in his heart What God said concerning the building of Babel ch 11. 6 7. The cause of the Plague on Pharaoh and his House ch 12. 17. God's dealing with Abimelech concerning Sarah ch 20. 3. c. The Passages between Abimelech and Isaac concerning his Wife ch 26. 8. c. What God said to Laban in a Dream ch 31. 24. Rachel's sitting upon the Images v. 34. The Conspiracy of Joseph's Brethren against him ch 37. 18 c. The reason why
Er and Onan were slain ch 38. 7 10. Judah's lying with Tamar v. 12 c. and many such Passages 2. For Tradition and Writing It 's very unlikely that many things recorded by Moses should either be conveigh'd by Tradition or committed to Writing As The Agreement between Abram and Sarah to say She was his sister Gen. 12.11 c. What pass'd between Abram and Pharaoh v. 18. c. What pass'd between Abram and Lot c. 13. 8 c. Sarah's giving her Maid to Abram c. 16. 2 3. What Rebecca said to Isaac c. 27. 46. Jacob's device about the Sheep c. 30. 37 c. These and multitudes of such private particular personal Passages are not proper matter either for Tradition or a History and therefore they must be made known to Moses by Revelation Some things also which were done in his Time and recorded by him yet were foreign Affairs Such wherein he had no personal concernment and therefore could not be known by him but by Revelation as the Passages between Balack and Balaam and the Angel's standing in the way to slay Balaam Num. 22 23 24. § 9. Secondly For the Historical Books which contain Matters of Fact there are many things there also which could not be known but by immediate Revelation As God's being angry with Israel and what he said thereupon Judg. 2.20 23. What Gaal said privately to the men of Sechem c. 9. 28 c. The Passages between Micah and his Mother c. 17. 2-5 What the Danites said one to another c. 18. 14. The Passages between the Levite and his Father-in-law c. 19. 5-10 and those Passages v. 16-26 All the Book of Ruth The carriage of the Philistines about the Ark 1. Sam. 5.6 How should it be known what the Servants of the King of Syria said to him but by Revelation 1 King 20 23-25 All the beginning of the Story of Naaman 2 Kings 5. probably was by Revelation only What is spoken of God 2 Kings 14.26 27. It 's evident that these things or most of 'em could be known no otherwise than by immediate Inspiration And if some be by Inspiration then all are for Christ makes no difference when he bids us search the Scriptures And Paul saith expresly That all Scripture is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 § 10. Thirdly For the Book of Job it may be lookt upon as an Historical Book though the History doth contain Doctrinal matter of divers sorts yet it 's all Matter of fact being a Narrative of what was spoken by one and another wherein though Job's Friends were in the wrong as to their particular Application of what they said to Job yet it is observed That they were so guided by the Spirit of God doubtless that there 's no one Sentence consider'd singly by it self that is contrary to other Scripture Besides This is one of the Books we have received from the Jews who were God's Trustees and Depositaries for the safe custody of the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 and they were never taxed for unfaithfulness in this trust either by Christ or the Apostles And further the Authority thereof is fully confirmed by that Passage of St. James c. 5. 11. and by those other Passages quoted in the New Testament out of it § 11. Fourthly That the Psalms were indicted by the Spirit of God appears by these places 2 Sam. 23.2 Mark 12.36 Acts 4.25 1.16 Heb. 3.7 And then many of 'em are Prophetical of Christ his Kingdom Sufferings c. and of the Calling of the Gentiles Fifthly The Writings of the Prophets are most evidently of Divine Inspiration for they are generally nothing but a Rehearsal or Transcript of what God spake To and By 'em as appears by the several particulars Esay is nothing but a Collection of his Prophecies and so all the very Words of God only with a part of Hezekiah's History ch 36-39 Jeremy and Ezekiel are mostly the same too enterwoven with some Historical Passages of the Affairs of the Church in those times and some of their own personal Concerns Wherein tho some things were the product of their own Spirits as those passionate Expressions Jer. 20.14 c. yet the recording of 'em in Scripture was by the special direction of the Holy Ghost Daniel is a good part of it Prophetical and therefore must be of divine Original Hosea contains nothing but the Words of God except the account of his Obedience to God's Command c. 1. Joel is all the Words of God Amos the same except a Narrative of some Visions c. 7. 8. 9. Obadiah only the Words of God Jonah Historical Micah the Words of God mostly Nahum the same Habakkuk a kind of Dialogue between God and the Prophet c. 1 2. and a Prayer c. 3. Zephaniah all of it the Words of God Haggai the same Zechariah consists most of Visions concerning the State of the Church in those days See the Argument to it in my Annotations Malachi all of it the Words of God So that it is most apparent that all this part of Scripture is of divine Inspiration yea that the very words were dictated to 'em by the Spirit of God though accommodated to the particular genius of every one as will be seen Prop. 5. § 12. 3. How many things are there in the Scriptures of the Old Testament as well as the New which transcend all humane Abilities and not to be match'd in any humane Writings and are peculiar to God alone Never could enter into the heart of man any thing like that Dialogue between God the Father and God the Son Esa 49 1-12 Never did or could any man declare the sincerity of the heart whenas the Actions might seem to argue the contrary as in Asa 2 Chron. 15.13 with 16.10 12. Never did nor could any speak in the name of God as the Scripture frequently doth Thus saith the Lord. Never did any man pretend to make such Promises and Threatnings of Spiritual and Eternal things as the Scripture doth Where are such lofty strains to be found in any humane Authors as that Description of the Entertainment of the King of Egypt by his Dead Confederates Ezek. 32 21-32 or that Elegant Prosopopeia of the Inanimate Creatures and the dead at the destruction of Babylon and for the King of Babylon's Entertainment in the Grave Isa 14 9-20 as also of God's Judgments upon the Jews for their treacherous dealing with the Messiah Isa 24 17-23 Consider also the lofty strain of those Passages and Prophecies which are spoken by the Prophets in the name of God as Isa 24. and Isaiah's Address to God thereupon c. 25. and 26. So no man could ever have certainly told that the reason why the Corinthians were visited with such sicknesses and weaknesses was for their eating and drinking unworthily at the Lord's Table if it had not been immediately dictated to him by the Holy Ghost These things and many such like could not have their Rise from any Man's brain but must come aliunde yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from above must be put into 'em by the immediate Dictate of the Spirit of God § 13. Secondly the Scriptures of
laid asleep as Adam's was when he lost his Rib. They did not put off Man when they put on God But § 15. Prop. IV. The Holy Ghost made use of the Natural Faculties and Abilities of those whom he imploy'd in writing the Holy Scriptures Their Understanding Reason Judgment Memory Affections were all set on work and did concur He made use of their Heads and Hearts as well as Hands So that they made use of their own Reason Judgment and Understanding as is undeniably evident from Luke's Preface to his Gospel where the Examples of others was one subordinate Motive to engage him to write Since many have taken in hand it seemed good to me also Luke 1 1-3 Yet withal he was moved by the Holy Ghost also so that he might have added as the Councel of Jerusalem did It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to me So David's heart was inditing a good matter Psal 45.1 And Peter upon consideration of his sudden departure was careful to leave that in Writing which might be of use to 'em after his decease that they might have those things always in remembrance 2 Pet. 1.14 15 To this Head must be referr'd such passages as these Rom. 15.28 When I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit I 'll come by you into Spain These were his present thoughts wherein yet it is supposed he was prevented by the Providence of God 1 Cor. 7.10 To the married I command yet not I but the Lord c. Heb. 13.22 23. I beseech you Brethren suffer the word of Exhortation for I have written a Letter to you in few words Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty with whom if he come shortly I will see you 2 Cor. 11.17 That which I speak I speak it not after the Lord but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boasting V. 23. I speak as a fool So c. 12. 2. I knew a man in Christ whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell c. Here the Holy Ghost directs Paul to speak only his own thoughts and knowledge without acquainting him whether it was in the Body or out of the Body Thus every-where generally the Apostle speaks all in his own Person tho' withal he asserts his having the Spirit 1 Cor. 7 -40 So that I say There was a concurrence of both And by this Assistance of the Holy Ghost their natural Faculties were advanc'd and improv'd to the highest pitch as will be seen more fully afterwards As Grace is ingrafted into and inoculated upon Nature to refine and perfect it so this divine afflatus was superadded to their natural Abilities to rectify and elevate 'em as appears in Paul's Arguings every-where especially in his Epistles to the Romans Galatians and Hebrews § 16. Prop. V. As the Holy Ghost in the composure of Scripture made use of the Reason and Understanding of the Pen-men so He attemper'd and accommodated his Inspiration to the particular genius of each Writer Hereby it came to pass That the Liquor savour'd of the Pipe through which it ran As God concurrs with all Creatures according to their particular Natures with Natural Agents Naturally with Free Agents Voluntarily so he did assist these Writers in a way suitable to their own natural Apprehensions and Abilities so that their Style and Language wherewith they clothed their Matter was of the same Strain and Make with that which they used commonly in expressing their own Conceptions by upon other occasions Yet this must be understood only for the generality for doubtless upon some special Occasions the Holy Ghost might suggest other Words as well as Matter to 'em than what they had been accustomed to formerly Dr. Owen indeed seems to be otherwise minded That there was nothing of their own particular genius to be found in any of their Writings for he expresses himself thus Neither has their success been much better who have exercised their Critical Ability in judging of the Style of the particular Writers of the Scripture preferring one before and above another whereas the Style of every one of them is best suited to the subject Matter whereof he treats and the End aimed at and the Persons with whom he had to do And herein Jerom Praefat in Isaiam Amosum has led the way to others and drawn many into a common mistake The Style of Isaiah he saith is proper urbane high and excellent but that of Hosea and especially of Amos low plain improper savouring of the Country and his Profession who was a Shepherd But those that understand their Style and Language will not easily give consent unto him tho the report be commonly admitted by the most It is true there appears in Isaiah an excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his Exhortations Expostulations and Comminations attended with Efficacious Apostrophes Prosopopaeiaes Metaphors and Allusions a compacted Fulness in his Prophecies and Predictions a sweet Evangelical Spiritualness in his Expression of Promises with frequent Paranomosiaes and Elleipses which have a special Elegancy in that Language whence he is usually instanc'd in by learned Men as an Example of the Eloquence of the divine Writings and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preferr'd to that of Eschines Demosthenes or Cicero But the Reader must take heed that he look not for the peculiar Excellencies of that Prophet absolutely in the Words used by him but rather in the Things that it pleased the Holy Ghost to use him as his Instrument in the Revelation of But the other part of Jerom's Censure is utterly devoid of any good foundation The Style of Amos considering the subject Matter that he treats of and the Persons with whom he had to do in suiting of Words and Speech wherein all true solid Eloquence consisteth is every way as proper as Elegant as that of Isaiah Neither will the knowing Reader find him wanting in any of the Celebrated Styles of Writing where occasion unto them is administred Thus he Exercit. on Ep. to Heb. Vol. 1. p. 15. § 27. But that the Holy Ghost did thus accommodate himself to the particular genius of the Pen-man both as to Words and Style seems evident to me by divers instances as of David whose natural Inclination led him to Musick to which he was addicted from his Youth 1 Sam. 16.18 and probably to Poesy too in regard of the near Affinity that is between 'em and accordingly the Holy Ghost imploys him in composing and inditing of Psalms whence he was called The sweet Psalmist of Israel 2 Sam. 23 -1 So Solomon famous for Wisdom was used in Writing of Proverbs wherein the Quintessence and Marrow of Wisdom doth discover it self He likewise having had the fullest Experience of the Vanity of all worldly Enjoyments that ever any one had is imploy'd to write upon that Subject So Paul who was both a great Scholar and wrapt up into the third Heaven shows more Learning than any other of the Apostles and also
treats of the most sublime and divine Mysteries of the Gospel This likewise appears in the different * Praetereà scito unum quemque Prophetam paculiare quid habere in ca linguâ cáque loqueâ—i ratione quae ipsi est familiaris consueâ—a ipsum impelli à Prophetiá suâ ad loquendum ei qui intelligit ipsum Maim More Nev. p. 11. c. 29. Styles of the Prophets Esay a Courtier writes in a lofty elegant Style embellished with frequent Paranomasies Jeremy writes in a more plain and easy Style Ezekiel is full of Parables Types Allegorical and Mystical Representations which occasion'd profane Spirits to scoff at him as an Enigmatical obscure Writer c. 20. 49. Doth he not speak Parables Hosea's Style is very concise and consequently obscure Now this difference cannot arise meerly from the difference of the Subjects as I grant it must needs do in some cases viz. Historical and Poetical Writings for the Prophecies of Jeremy and Ezekiel as they agree very much in respect of Time so they do in Argument also viz. To denounce Judgments against the Jews for their Sins and particularly to fore-tell the Babylonish Captivity for seventy years as Jeremy doth and also the Destruction of the Temple and City as Ezekiel does And for Ezekiel to confirm what Jeremy had deliver'd and to Prophecy the same things tho' more vehemently in Chaldea that Jeremy had done in Judea So that I say this difference of their Styles did not proceed either from the Subjects they wrote about nor meerly from the Holy Ghost but their own particular genius mostly and way of Expression These things I have premised by way of Introduction to usher in my main Design and Business which is to open the Nature of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherewith the Pen-men of the sacred Oracles were assisted in the Composition of the Holy Scriptures which I now enter upon in § 17. Prop. VI. The Inspiration of the Holy Ghost to the Pen-men of Scripture doth include and contain divers things in it It does consist of several Ingredients as I may say The Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture several ways His Agency herein may be laid out in these following Particulars 1. He moved and stirr'd 'em up to write by a particular Impulse He was the primum mobile that set all the Wheels a going He call'd 'em into this Vineyard and set 'em all a work This he did sometimes by a particular express Command as to Moses to write several things Exod. 17.14 and 34.27 and to Jeremy c. 30. 2. and 36. 2. and to John Rev. 1.10 But most usually by a strong Impulse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon their Spirits which effectually inclin'd and dispos'd 'em to the Work He spake to 'em with a strong hand Esa 8.11 See Jer. 20.9 The Pen-man did not first resolve and purpose with himself to write such a Book as in ordinary Cases and then the Spirit did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is said in another case Rom. 8.26 No this was not the Method This is expressly denied 2 Pet. 1.19 The prophecy came not in old time by the Will of Man The Will of Man was not the first Mover but the Spirit of God as it follows there True indeed they made use of their Understanding and Reason as I said before It seemed good to me saith Luke And hence the Work wrought or Effect produced was Theirs called therefore The Gospel of Matthew The Epistle of Paul c. But inasmuch as they were therein assisted by the Holy Ghost in those ways and manners as are here laid down the Work done may be also ascribed to the Holy Ghost And so it is Heb. 3.7 The Holy Ghost saith To day if you will hear his voice c. And of the Prophets in general it is said That the Spirit of God in them did signify such and such things 1 Pet. 1.11 There was a Concurrence of both So Mark 12.36 David himself said by the Holy Ghost and 2 Pet. 1.19 Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost As that which is dictated by one and written by another the Work may be ascribed to both to one as the Principal to the other as the Instrumental Cause Tho' I confess this instance does not fully reach the Case because the Pen-men of Scripture had a greater share in the Work than as meer Amanuenses as was show'd § 18. 2. The Holy Ghost was their Task-master to set 'em their Tasks He cut out every one's work for him He appointed 'em their share assign'd 'em that Part and Province they were to adorn and cultivate There was a great Work to be done the perfect Revelation of the Will of God for our Salvation divers Instructions and Directions to be given some by one hand some by another to teach us how to govern our selves in our Way till we arrive at our Journey 's end Much Provision of all sorts both for Food and Physick was to be made many Workmen to be imploy'd herein who knew not each others Task Therefore it was necessary there should be one general Supervisor or Overseer to assign to each one what his share should be and that according to his particular Talent and Ability As in the Parable of the Talents it is said The Owner of the Talents gave to every man according to his several ability Matth. 25.15 So it was here The Work of the sweet Psalmist of Israel was to compose Psalms of the Wisest of Men to utter Proverbs of that Apostle that was wrapt up into the third Heaven and there heard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unutterable matters to declare both by Tongue and Pen the deep things of God concerning Election Predestination Justification Cutting off the natural Branches of the Olive and ingrafting wild Branches into their room Abolishing the whole Frame of Mosaical Institutions opening the Nature of Christ's Priesthood showing the Manner of the Resurrection and the Nature of Spiritual Bodies and the like § 19. 3. The Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture by way of Illumination of their Minds whereby they had a distinct understanding of all those Truths whether Doctrinal or Practical that were to be deliver'd by ' em They saw all in a true and clear Light and therefore they did not falter or swerve in the least from the truth in any point They made no false steps but were secured both from stumbling in the way and stepping aside out of it Hence it comes to pass that all their Arguings are sound and solid and all their Inferences from Scripture or Reason are well bottom'd § 20. For the Pen-men of the Historical Parts of Scripture this kind of Assistance does not so much belong unto them because their Writings contain for the most part only Matters of Fact which are easily intelligible and therefore I apply this kind of Assistance chiefly to the Writings of the
judging the twelve tribes of Israel And every one that hath forsaken house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name's sake shall receive an hundred-fold and inherit everlasting life Matth. 19 27-29 And again When the Sons of Zebedee desired to sit one on his right hand and the other on his left in his Kingdom Christ asks 'em Whether they could drink of his cup and be baptized with his baptism Mark 10.37 38. implying That the greatest Sufferers shall be the greatest Gainers and be most highly advanc'd in his Kingdom Hence then I say we may conclude That since Paul's Sufferings as well as his Labours and Writings were the greatest That he shall not only sit on a particular Throne but on the highest Throne of all the Apostles and they were above all the Tribes and that he shall have the highest degree in the University of Heaven as he was the highest Scholar in Christ's School on Earth But this by the Bye § 25. 4. The Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture by strengthning and refreshing their Memories to recollect and recall whatsoever they had seen or heard before which He saw fit to be inserted into their Writings This kind of Assistance was afforded chiefly in relation to the Historical Parts of Scripture wherein Matters of fact which they had been Eye or Ear-witnesses of are recorded And this was expressly promis'd by Christ John 14.26 The Comforter shall come who shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you and accordingly it was made good unto 'em as we see in the Writings of the Evangelists which contain a Narrative of the Birth Life Doctrine Miracles Sufferings Death Resurrection and Ascension of Christ in an harmonious Discord This was necessary for the Writers of all the Historical Parts of Scripture that they might not be guilty of any omission or the least mistake which would have defaced and fullied the Beauty of the whole Eccl. 10.1 § 26. 5. He assisted 'em by Directing 'em among a Multitude of Matters of Fact what to Omit and what to Commit to Writing and to make Choice of such particulars as he in his infinite Wisdom saw fit to be left upon Record for the use of succeeding Generations This is plain by those passages John 20.30 31. Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this book but these things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name and 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the World it self could not contain the books that should be written Now which of these were to be written and which to be left unwritten what might be of use and what not it was impossible for any humane Understanding to comprehend and determine and therefore must be the work of the Holy Ghost In general All things were written for our Learning Rom. 15.4 and Admonition 1 Cor. 10 -11 and particularly either as Sea-marks by way of Caution to warn us to shun those Rocks and Shelves which others had split upon 1 Cor. 10 6-10 or as Land-marks to show us how to steer our Course that we may arrive safe in the Harbour of true Happiness Rom. 15 -4 That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope or by way of Encouragement to quicken us to the Performance of those Duties or Exercise of those Graces wherein the People of God in former times have been Eminent Rom. 4.23 24. Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him c. No humane Understanding could judge of these things what was fit and useful and what not so that herein the Direction and Conduct of the Holy Ghost was absolutely necessary And herein among other particulars his Wisdom was admirable in directing Moses in that compendious History of things written by him to record the Artifice of Jacob concerning the Sheep Gen. 30. which may seem at first view to be beneath the Majesty of the Holy Ghost and Gravity of an inspired Writer But if it be well consider'd we may find that Excellent use may be made of it to teach us how that the Providence of God is exercised over his Church and People which was then confin'd within the bounds of Jacob's Family for the most part for their Preservation and Provision and also To warrant the use of natural means such as that was at least in part in the pursuit of lawful Ends. And this Direction of the Holy Ghost was necessary to prevent stuffing their Writings with frivolous and impertinent Stories fabulous Legends and Jewish Fables wherewith their Talmud and some of their Targums and their Midrashim do abound which therefore the Apostle cautions against 1. Tim. 1.4 and 4.7 Tit. 1.14 § 27. 6. The Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture by exciting and calling forth those Idea's and Images of things which were treasur'd up in their Memories As it sometimes comes to pass in Prayer and Preaching the Holy Ghost brings into the Mind such passages of Scripture and other matters as are pertinent and suitable to the occasion tho' not with that Power Evidence and Infallibility which attended the divinely-inspired Writers but in a lower way yet however it is something of the same kind and nature Hereby tho' he did not suggest any new Matter or Notion to 'em which they knew not before yet he brought such things into their Minds as by his infinite Wisdom he saw meet to be made use of to other ends and purposes than the Pen-men were aware of viz. for the Relief of the People of God upon all occasions in all their Doubts Fears and Troubles and for Direction in all the Occurrences of life hence proceed those Multitudes of Directions about particular Duties in Paul's Epistles All that Stock of habitual Knowledge of what sort soever whether Natural Acquired or Infused wherewith they were furnish'd before was hereby educed and reduced into Act so far forth as was needful for the general Design of the Scripture and there was occasion for it What they knew before whether by the Light of Nature Study Conversation or divine Revelation was all Materials for the Spirit to work upon or with in this way As a Carpenter when he builds a House chooses out such Timber Stones and other Materials as are fit for his work and lets the other alone or As a Physician chooses out of the Apothecary's Shop such Drugs and Medicines as are proper and suitable to his purpose so did the Holy Ghost We need not say that the Spirit did teach or infuse into 'em whisper in their Ears as La
Mothe expresses it any thing which they knew before but only called forth proposed and represented to their Minds such of those things which he found there and would have made use of Hence it came to pass that Paul the most learned of the Apostles makes such use of his Learning in his Writings which is not to be found in the Writings of any other of the Apostles As when he quotes some Sayings of the Heathen Poets Of Aratus in his discourse to the Learned Athenians Acts 17 -28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Menander 1 Cor. 15.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Epimenides Tit. 1.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Spirit of God could have infused such Notions into the other Apostles as he enabled 'em to speak with Tongues which they never learned by infusing the Idea's of all those Languages into their Minds but he made use only of such things as he found in 'em as to this particular And herein I take it does chiefly consist the Assistance and Influence of the Holy Ghost in the Inditement of the greatest part of Scripture All the Historical Dogmatical Doctrinal and Practical Parts of Scripture owe their Original to this Work of the Holy Ghost his calling forth such and such Matter and Words as should be fit for the Edification and Instruction of the People of God in all generations And hence it follows § 28. 7. The Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture by immediate suggesting and dictating to 'em and imprinting on their Minds all such things as were matters of pure Revelation i. e. That could not be known by 'em no otherwise than by Revelation as All things Past of which there was neither Tradition nor Record Such things Present as either they had never heard of or were without the reach of Man's Knowledge as the Thoughts Desires Purposes Inclinations and Sincerity of the Heart which are often declared in Scripture And likewise things to Come the Fore-telling whereof God challenges to himself as his peculiar Prerogative Esa 46.9 10. and 41. 22 23. and 45.21 And here come in under this Head of Assistance all the Prophecies Promises Threatnings which lie scatter'd up and down throughout the whole Book of God These are granted by all except absolute Antiscripurists to be of divine Inspiration in the strictest and most proper sense and the immediate Dictates of the Holy Ghost § 29. 8. Besides the particular Scope of each Book and the Pen-men thereof the Spirit of God had moreover a general and transcendent Super-intendency and Inspection reaching over the whole viz. To make it a compleat perfect Canon and Rule both of Faith and Life containing all the Credenda Agenda Petenda and Speranda that so the Man of God might be perfect throughly furnisht to every good work This was that which could never come within the Compass of any particular Writer's aim but was the Work of the Spirit in the whole That every one should write what and so much as the Spirit saw fit Every one should cast in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Morsel or Share as it 's said of the Apostles in the Creed so that all together it might be a perfect Revelation of the Will of God for the Use of the Church the Body of Christ That it should contain all things necessary to Salvation and whatsoever was profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction and for Instruction in Righteousness 2 Tim. 3.16 17. And thus much for the Sixth Proposition showing the several Branches or Ways whereby the Holy Ghost assisted the Pen-men of Scripture from all which I may well conclude in the last Place § 30. Prop. VII The whole Scripture both in respect of Matter and Words is of divine Inspiration This seems to me to be a plain and natural Consequence of the foregoing Discourse That both Matter and Words were equally under the Direction and Influence of the Holy Ghost Both of 'em had an equal share in his Inspiration in the ways fore-mention'd Such Words as well as Matter were brought into their Minds as the Holy Ghost thought fit This is denied by La Mothe part 2. c. 1. tho' he grants something like it C. 5. § 3. p. 120. where he saith The Words and the Things depend upon one and the same sort of Inspiration both the one and the other proceed from the same Spring and are guided by the same Hand They proceed equally from humane Faculties and are equally directed by the Spirit of God § 31. The Apostle seems to speak expresly to this point concerning the Words 1 Cor. 2.13 Which things also we speak not in the Words which man's Wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth Now if it were so with 'em in their Speaking much more in their Writing if it be not all one and he does not mean the same thing concerning which see above Prop. I. n. 1. because their Writing was of larger Extent than their Preaching viz. for the Use of the Church in all Ages Many passages also in the Scripture seem to look this way and to imply as much As 1. Those general Words 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God must certainly signify more than a bare Direction such as La Mothe asserts p. 121. He lets 'em alone when they go right and when they are about to miscarry he brings 'em back again viz. an immediate Impulse in those ways that have been mention'd So when the sacred Pen-men thereof are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 born up carried above and beyond themselves to speak his Words and what he endited to ' em Owen of Commun p. 284. 2. It appears also by those words of David 2 Sam. 23.2 The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and his Word was in my Tongue He does not say He spake by the Spirit but the Spirit by him The Spirit was the Principal Agent he but the Instrument Whereas If the Spirit only directed him in what he wrote then he was the Principal and the Spirit only the Subordinate Mr. Pool's Note upon these Words is this The following Words and consequently the other Words and Psalms composed and utter'd by me upon the like solemn Occasions are not to be lookt upon as my private Fancies or humane Inventions but both the Matter and Words of 'em are suggested and govern'd by God's Spirit which is the great Teacher of the Church 3. The Places following seem also to speak thus much Luke 1.70 He spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets Acts 4.25 Who by the mouth of thy holy servant David hast said Mark 12.36 David himself said by the Holy Ghost and more expresly Acts 1.16 Which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before and 28. 25. Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esay the Prophet Heb. 1.1 God spake in the Prophets and 3.7 The Holy Ghost saith To day if you will hear his voice c. What can be more express than these
places A bare Guidance and Direction certainly will never comprehend the full Extent and Sense of these Expressions Sure God and the Holy Ghost cannot be said to speak in and by the Pen-men except the very Words they spake and wrote were more than their own § 32. And of this Judgment are many worthy Divines and learned Men whose Testimonies I could produce but I shall content my self with two Eminent ones the one a Protestant the other a Papist The former is the Industrious Judicious Pool in his incomparable Annotations These words He keeps all his bones c. tho' here spoken of righteous Men in general of whom they are true in a Metaphorical sense yet they have a further meaning in 'em being dictated by the Spirit of God which dictated to David not only the Matter but very Words and Expressions to signify a great Mystery That none of Christ's bones should be broken Pool on Psal 34.20 The other is of Estius an Excellent Commentator Rectè igitur verissimè ex hoc loco statuitur omnem Scripturam sacram canonicam Spiritu sancto dictante esse conscriptam ità nimirum ut non solum sententiae sed verba singula verborum ordo ac tota dispositio sit à Deo tanquam per semetipsum loquente aut scribente Est in 2 Tim. 3.16 From this place 2 Tim. 3.16 it is well and rightly gather'd that all the Holy Canonical Scripture was written by the dictate of the Holy Spirit insomuch that not only the Sentences but the very Words and the Order of the Words and the whole disposal is from God as if it were spoken or written by Himself § 33. Now from the foregoing Discourse we may gather what was the peculiar distinct Part and Share both of the Principal and Instrumental Causes of the Scripture which was That that I design'd and aim'd at at first to find out and discover The Holy Ghost first set the Pen-men of Scripture a work and moved 'em to write He set 'em their Task and appointed every one his Share and that according to their several Abilities He furnisht 'em with Matter for their Work by Enlightning their Minds to understand all their Work Strengthning their Memories to recal what was necessary Directing 'em what Matters to make choice of Exciting and Calling forth into Act so much of what they knew before as was to be committed to Writing by 'em Suggesting to 'em and Imprinting upon their Minds such things as they knew not but were Matters of pure Revelation Providing that the whole should be a perfect Rule both of Faith and Life In these several Particulars I conceive with Submission the Inspiration and Assistance of the Holy Ghost to the Pen-men of Scripture did consist This was His Part. Then for the Pen-men themselves their own Reason and Judgment did concur in all they wrote David's Heart indited a good Matter Psal 45.1 David himself spake Mark 12.36 It seemed good to Luke to write Luke 1.3 The Apostle spake generally in their own Persons Hence the Work done is very properly ascribed to both To the Holy Ghost as the Principal Author and Efficient to the Holy Men of God as Instruments imploy'd by Him and in Subordination to Him to be the immediate Authors of the Writings composed by them This is what I have to offer in this Point wherein if there be any thing found which may be useful and shall approve it self to the godly judicious let God have the Glory by whose Assistance alone this hath been begun carried on and brought to Mar. 16.94 5. THE END
the New Testament are equal sharers with those of the Old Testament in this Priviledg and Prerogative to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-inspired For 1. The Writings of the New Testament are comprehended in the word Scripture and call'd by that name as well as the Writings of the Old Testament Peter gives this Title to Paul's Epistles 2 Pet. 3.16 As also in all his Epistles in which there are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do the other Scriptures to their own destruction implying that Paul's Epistles stand upon the same ground and have as good a title and claim to the word Scripture as any other Writings whatsoever 2. The Scriptures of the Apostles are the foundation of our Faith as well as the Scriptures of the Prophets Eph. 2.20 3. Paul was endued with Divine Wisdom in what he wrote 2 Pet. 3.15 and expresly affirms of himself that what he spake and wrote was The Word of God 1 Cor. 7-40 14.37 1 Thes 2.13 4. The Gospel-dispensation being much more glorious in many respects than that of the Law 2 Cor. 3 7-11 and the Apostles being the chief Officers in the New Testament they must at least have an equal assistance with the highest under the Law Nay rather as he that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he that was greater than all the Prophets so the Divine Abilities of the Apostles must much more excel those of the Prophets 5. Otherwise all the Promises and Threatnings delivered by the Apostles would be of no force nor efficacy nor could have any influence upon the Conscience the contrary whereto is found by daily experience and therefore their Writings must be immediate dictates of the Holy Ghost as well as those delivered by the Prophets and which Christ spake with his own mouth And if these Promises and Threatnings were utter'd by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost then also what goes before and what follows after for they are so nearly linkt together and interwoven one with another that they must proceed from the same Spirit For can any one think that the Holy Ghost assisted the Apostles by Suggestion in one Verse and passage and only by Direction i. e. by watching over 'em that they should not err in the next Look over all those precious Promises wherewith the Apostolical Writings are bespangled as the Sky with Stars which I have recited in the Table of the Promises at the end of my Annotations on the Bible and judg whether they could proceed from any but one immediately acted and assisted by the Holy Ghost in the writing of ' em And then further consider 'em with the Antecedents and Consequents and the close intimate Union between 'em and then judge whether they don't evidently discover the same kind of Assistance in the whole I 'le instance but in one viz. that Promise Rom. 6.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you Observe how the Apostle brings it in in the same thread or tenor of discourse with what goes before and therefore they must be all of the same stamp and if the Promises and so for the Threatnings be the immediate Dictates of the Spirit so must the rest also It is not with the Writings of the Apostles as with a piece of Embroider'd work which is first wrought in the Loom by one hand and then Embroider'd by another but like a piece of rich Silk inwrought with Flowers of Gold and Silver all of a piece wrought by the same hand all at the same time yet one part is richer than another So it is with these composures though one part be richer than another yet all is the work of the same hand 6. Yet we may observe some difference between the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles in these three respects especially 1 The Prophets deliver'd all in the Name of the Lord Thus saith the Lord whereas the Apostles wrote in their own Names so most of the Epistles begin and have the Name of the Penman set in the Front 2 The Books of the Prophets are but a Collection or aggregate Body of several Prophecies or Visions added one to another whereas the Writings of the Apostles are carried on in a continued tenor of Discourse withâ—ut any such interruptions and breaking off the thread of the Matter as in the Prophets 3. The Prophets had not a constant uninterrupted influx of the Spirit but he fell upon 'em at certain Times and Seasons according to his own pleasure therefore you have the several Prophecies of the same Prophet bearing date at several times and Ezekiel was made dumb in some respect till a certain season c. 3. 26 27. and 24. 27. See my Annotations there So when the Captains of the Forces and Johanan came to Jeremy for direction from him Jer. 42 1-3 it is said v. 7. that after ten days came the Word of the Lord to Jeremiah Whereas the Apostles seem to have had a constant assistance of the Spirit upon all occasions so that wheresoever they came they were ready to preach the Word of God to the People of those places And therefore in this respect the Apostles had much the pre-eminence and advantage of the Prophets as was hinted just now n. 4. So then the whole Bulk and Body of Scripture contain'd in the Writings of the Old and New Testament is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-inspired which is the second Proposition § 14. Prop. III. This Inspiration did not deprive the Persons inspired of their Reason and Understanding Thus indeed it befel those by whom the Devil deliver'd his Oracles for the Evil Spirit that possest 'em used to swell and blow up their Bodies especially their Breasts and Bellies like a Bladder or Bottle as it is recorded of the Pythian Prophetess or Witch rather and to cast 'em into a kind of Frenzy and then deliver'd his Oracles by 'em with a hoarse or hollow Voice as if they spake out of their Bellies thence call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Greeks or out of a Bottle whence they had their Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Hebrew But it was not so with those that were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were not mente capti and so used only as Pipes to convey such and such things thorow 'em to which they contributed nothing at all except the Writing but were meerly Passive Bede on 2 Pet. 1.19 mentions and confutes some in his time that maintain'd this foolish fancy Neither were they used as meer Amanuenses to write what the Holy Ghost dictated word for word to 'em without the use of their own Judgment but the Holy Ghost imploy'd 'em as reasonable Persons endu'd with abilities of Understanding Judgment and the like Their Faculties were not laid aside nor