Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	rule_n	tradition_n	unwritten_a	2,845	5	12.5918	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

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

life Gal. 6.16 Phil. 3. vers 16. Q. What is the proper Office of this Canon of Scriptures A. First our Faith must be measured by this sacred Canon Secondly all Controversies in Religion must be divided be this Rule of truth Thirdly our life and all our actions must be guided by the Canonicall Scripture as by a straight Line and Rule Gal. 6.16 Q. Seeing you affirme Canonicall Scripture to be the Rule of Faith and the Judge of all controversies tell me therefore how know you that the Scriptures are of infallible truth A. The Scriptures are the very word of God and therefore of infallible truth and divine Authoritie They therefore that ground their faith upon Canonicall Scripture build upon a Rocke and not upon the sand 2 Pet. 1.19 Q. How know you the Scriptures to be the very Word of God A. First the Scripture doth testifie this of it selfe 2 Tim. 3. vers 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God c. 2 Peter 1. v. 21. Secondly Gods own spirit doth testifie to the consciences of his Children and assure them that the Scriptures are the Oracles of God 1 Joh. 2.20 27. Thirdly many Arguments may be drawn out of Canonicall Scriptures whereby we may discerne these Books to be no humane writings but the very word of God Q. What are those Arguments which may induce a reasonable man to believe that the Scriptures are the Word of God A. They are these First the puritie and divine perfection of the Doctrine contained in Scripture Here are many sacred and heavenly Mysteries concerning mens Salvation which are farre above the reach of humane reason and could never have been found out had not God revealed them by his Spirit Psal 19.7 119.96 Prov. 30. vers 5. 1 Tim. 3. vers 16. 1 Cor. 2. vers 7 9 10. 2. The Scriptures containe many Prophesies of such things as could not be foreseen in their causes which have been fulfilled in the same manner as they were foretold Gen. 15.13 14. 49.10 1 King 13.2 3 5. Isai 44.28.45 1. Jer. 25.11 12. 2 Thes 2.7 8. 3. The Scriptures are of admirable power and efficacy to humble and terrifie the Sinner to comfort the conscience and to convent the Soule Heb. 4. vers 12. Act. 24. v. 25. Psal 19. vers 7. 4. Such is the grace and Majestie of the Scriptures though written in a plaine and easie style as is not to be found in any humane Author 1 Tim. 5. vers 21. 1 Corinth 1.17 18 21 24. 5. The sweet Harmonie and perfect concord of every part of Scripture with other notwithstanding these Bookes were written by divers persons in sundry places at sundry times 6. The Antiquitie of the Scriptures above all humane writings And the admirable preservation of this Book notwithstanding the strange malice of Satan and his wicked Instruments against it 7. The gracious simplicity of the Penmen of Scripture who neither spare their friends nor themselves but most freely and impartially set downe their owne faults and infirmities as well as others which had they been guided by humane reason they would never have done 8. The constant Testimonie of many holy Martyrs and of the Church of Christ in all ages Q. You have proved the Scriptures to be the Word of God and therefore I doubt not but a Christian may boldly build his Faith upon them But whether are the Scriptures a sufficient and perfect Rule of Faith and Obedience A. Yes all points of necessarie Faith and practise are contained in the written word and therefore the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect Rule Q. What are we to understand by the Contents of Scripture A. By the Contents of Scripture we must understand not only what is expressed in so many letters and syllables but whatsoever may thence by manifest and necessary consequence be deduced Q. How may it appeare that the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect rule A. By these Arguments First the Scriptures are able to make a man wise to Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 Jam. 1.21 Joh. 20.31 2. The Law and the Gospell which are the subject matter of Scripture are both perfect The Law is so perfect a Rule of all to be done that nothing may be added to it or taken from it Deut. 4. v. 2. Deut. 12. v. 32. The Gospell is so perfect a Rule of all things needfull to be believed that nothing may be added to it or taken from it See Gal. 1.8 9. 3. All that we need to bring us to Salvation is either to be taught or reproved or instructed or corrected or comforted But all this the Scriptures are able to doe they are able to teach to reprove to correct to instruct in all righteousness and to comfort in all estates Reade 2 Tim. 3.16 Prov. 2.1 9. Rom. 15.4 Psal 119.50 Isai 8.20 Luc. 16.29 31. Joh. 5.39 Ephes 2.20 Lu. 24.44 Act. 26.22 25. Act. 28.23 4. The Scriptures are able to furnish the man of God that is the Minister sufficiently to every dutie of the Ministrie and to make him perfect whose dutie it is to declare the whole Counsell of God to the People therefore they are much more able to give the people sufficient Instruction Soe 2 Tim. 3.17 Act. 20.27 5. The Scripture is stiled a Rule now a Rule must be fit to measure that which is to be measured by it without addition otherwise it is no just Rule Gal. 6.16 Phil. 3.16 Q. What gather you from this Doctrine of the Sufficiency of the Scriptures A. Seeing the Scriptures are a sufficient and perfect Rule therefore we need no unwritten verities no Traditions of men to supply any supposed defect of the written word of God Isai 29.13 Mat. 15.6 9. Col. 2.8 The six Principles of Mr PERKINS expounded The first Principle Q. WHat dost thou believe concerning God A. There is one God Creator and Governor of all things distinguished into the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost The Exposition Q. What particulars are to be observed in this Principle A. Three things are here set downe to be believed concerning God First the Unitie of the Godhead 2. The Distinction of this one God into three persons 3. The workes whereby God hath made himselfe known Q. How is God One A. In being and Essence the Spirituall Essence of God is but one and no more in number Deut. 6.4 Mark 12.32 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. Q. Can you give me any true Definition or Description of God A. God as he is in himselfe is known to himselfe only and therefore a perfect definition of God cannot be given but yet he may be described sufficiently to distinguish him from all Idols from all Creatures whatsoever Job 11.7 Q. How may God be described A. By his Attributes Q. What are the Attributes of God A. They are those essentiall properties which are attributed to God in Scripture that we may therby the better conceive of his incomprehensible Essence Q. Tell me how

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