A Guide to Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 28
CAP. XXVIII.
Of reading the Scriptures and other religious writings.
§. Sect. 1 Who are to exerciſe themſelues in this dutie of reading.
THe ſecond priuate meanes of a godly life, which may be vſed by our ſelues alone, or with others, is reading, which is the peruſing and ſtudying of religious writings, for the information of our iudgements in the knowledge of God and his truth, the ſanctifying of our hearts and affections, and the reforming of our liues and conuerſations. The which exerciſe may be performed when we are alone, by the ſight of the eye, and the diſcourſe of the minde, either with or without the vſe of ſpeech; but with all neceſſarily ioyned together, when we performe this dutie with others. In ſpeaking whereof, let vsus firſt generally obſerue, who are to reade, and then the ſub…ect matter which is to be read of them. For the firſt, all ſorts and conditions of men without exception, are tyed to this dutie, who are any way able to performe it, both the learned and vnlearned, the Miniſters and common people, the poore and rich, men & women, yong, old, and of middle age: ſeeing the Lord in the Scriptures hath impoſed it as neceſſary and profitable for all men. Thus he requireth that not onelyonly the Leuites, but his whole people of Iſrael ſhould continually ſtudie in the Booke of his Law, and take all good occaſions to ſpeake and talke of it in all places; that they ſhould binde the words of it Deut. 6. 7, 8, 9. Matth. 22. 29.for a ſigne vponupon their hands, and that they ſhould bee as frontlets betweene their eyes, and that they ſhould write them vponupon the poſts of their houſe and on their gates, to no other end, but that they might often take occaſion thereby to reade and ſtudy them. Our Sauiour Chriſt alſo doth exhort all to ſearch the Scriptures, and affirmeth this to bee the cauſe of all errours Ioh. 5. 39.both in iudgement and manners, becauſe men were not well acquainted with them. And the Apoſtle Peter, writing generally to all, ſaith, that hauing a more ſure word of prophecie (that is more infallible then any reuelations) therefore they did well that they did take heede vntounto it, as vntounto a 2. Pet. 1. 19.light that ſhineth in a darke place. And the Apoſtle writing vntounto the Romanes, ſaith, that whatſoeuer things were written aforetime, were written for Rom. 15. 4. 2. Tim. 3. 15. 2 Iohn ver. 1, 4.our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might hauehave hope. The Apoſtle Iohn likewiſe writing to children, young and old men, plainely implyeth that no age is exempted; but euen little children muſt reade, that they may be ſeaſoned with the knowledge of Gods truth from their tender age, like young Timothy, and the children of the elect Lady; and ſo being trayned vp in the way which they ſhould chuſe, when they are old, they will not depart from it: and hauing this ſound foundation of knowledge layd, they may hauehave the building of faith and piety more eaſily erected and ſet vp in them. And young men alſo muſt reade the Scriptures, that being armed with this ſword of the Spirit, they may be the better enabled to reſiſt the tentations of the diuell, the world and their own fleſh, which in that age are moſt ſtrong and violent. Finally, old men, after they hauehave gotten much knowledge, muſt ſtill diligently ſtudie the Scriptures, that they may be the better confirmed and ſettled in the things which they know, recall thoſe things to memory, which that age otherwiſe is apt to forget, and that hauing knowne God and his Chriſt from the beginning, not onelyonly by reading and hearing, but by much experience; they may be refreſhing and renewing this knowledge, be the better able to walke themſelues in this cleare light, and guide and direct others alſo by their fatherly inſtructions in the right way that they ſhould chuſe. But yet in a more ſpeciall manner, this dutie of reading the Law and Word of Deut. 17. 18, 19 Ioſh. 1. 8.God is preſſed vponupon Princes and Gouernours, that being inlightened with the knowledge of Gods will and truth, they may themſelues yeeld obedience vntounto it, ſeeing hereby they ſhall not onelyonly ſaue their owne ſoules, but alſo bee a meanes of the ſaluation of many others, their liues and actions being exemplarie, and powerfull to draw thoſe which are vnderunder them, to follow and imitate them in that which is either good or euill: And alſo that hauing this light to guide them, they may adminiſter righteous iudgement, and gouerne the people committed to their charge, in the feare of the Lord, eſtabliſhing amongſt them Gods true Religion, and maintaining in all their dominions iuſtice and truth. But aboue all others, the Miniſters of Gods Word are religiouſly bound to exerciſe themſelues diligently in reading the Scriptures; ſeeing they muſt not onelyonly hauehave skill to direct themſelues and their owne families, but to inſtruct all others committed to their charge, in the Word and will of God; for the Prieſts lips Mal. 2. 7.muſt preſerue knowledge, and the people muſt ſeeke the Law at their mouth; for he is the meſſenger of the Lord of hoſts. And he principally more then ordinary Chriſtians, muſt giuegive attendance to reading, exhortation and doctrine, 1. Tim. 4. 13, 16.and continue in them; becauſe in ſo doing, he ſhal both ſaue himſelfe and thoſe that heare him.
§. Sect. 2 That we are chiefly to be exerciſed in reading and ſtudying of the Scriptures.
The ſecond generall point to be conſidered, is the ſubiect matter of our reading, of which wee muſt make good choyce, ſeeing it were much better not to reade at all, then to ſpend our time in peruſing ſuch bookes as are prophane, teaching nothing but vanitie and lyes, wantonneſſe, ribaldry and contempt both of Religion & common honeſty; in which number are books of ſcurrilous ieſts, plaies and Machiauellian policie. For as we ſay in the prouerbe, Where God hath his Church, there the diuell hath his chappell; and apiſhly imitating the diuine Maieſty, that he may blinde his followers, get from them the like glory, and eſpecially that he may diſgrace Gods holy ordinances; as God hath his Sacraments & Ceremonies, ſo he will hauehave his to ſeale vp to his vaſſals their more aſſured condemnation. And as God hath his bookes of holy Scriptures, contayning his will and Lawes, for the ſanctifying and gouerning of his people; ſo the deuill will hauehave ſcribes inſpired with his will, to ſet forth bookes of helliſh impieties and damnable policies, for the corrupting of mens iudgements, the poiſoning of their hearts and manners, and the trayning vp and gouerning of his ſubiects in all ſinne and wickedneſſe. And therefore all thoſe who deſire to pleaſe God in the duties of a godly life, muſt with as much care flee ſuch bookes, as Mariners doe the rockes and ſands; and as they profeſſe themſelues Gods ſeruants, ſo they muſt make choyce of ſuch bookes as will better their knowledge and practice in his Lawes: as they profeſſe themſelues of the Chriſtian Religion, ſo they muſt read and ſtudie ſuch bookes, as being religious, will further them in Chriſtianity, and enable them to performe vntounto God more diligent and faithfull ſeruice. In which reſpect, the Booke of holy Scriptures contained in the Old and New Teſtament, is to be preferred aboue all others, ſeeing it is the foundation and ground of them all, which hauing God for it Author, is of infallible truth, and is to be beleeued in its owne ſole authority, and needeth not the confirmation of reaſon, or any humane teſtimony, but ſhineth like the Sunne in it owne light. Whereas all writings of men who are ſubiect to errours, are onelyonly ſo far foorth to be beleeued and imbraced, as they are conſonant, and agreeable with it. For all men are lyers, and through their ignorance, ſubiect to errors; apt to deceiue, and to be deceiued; and therefore are no further to be credited, then as their ſayings and works are approoued by the Canon and rule of Gods infallible truth. Beſides that, the Word of God is of more maieſty, power & efficacie, then any mortall mans, and his more immediate ordinance, which being more effectually aſſiſted, and wrought into our mindes and hearts by his holy Spirit, is of greater efficacie for the inlightening of our vnderſtandings, the mollifying of our hearts, the ſtrengthening of our Faith, and ſanctifying of our affections, then all other writings without it. And this Dauid found by experience, profeſſing, that by ſtudying and meditating in the Booke and Law of God, he became wiſer then the Ancients, and of more vnderſtanding then his teachers.Pſal. 119. 9…, 100.
§. Sect. 3 Their obiection anſwered, who pretend the obſcurity of the Scriptures.
Neither let any man pretend that the Scriptures are of ſuch difficulty, and ſo hard to be vnderſtood, that priuate men muſt not preſume to Pſal. 19. 7, 8. Pro. 1. 4.read them; ſeeing they hauehave plainely taught vsus, that the Law of the Lord inlighteneth the eyes, and maketh wiſe the ſimple. And wiſe Salomon telleth vsus, that this was one chiefe end of his penning that portion of holy Scripture, that he might giuegive ſubtilty (that is, more then common knowledge) to the ſimple, and to the young man knowledge and diſcretion. So that though the Scriptures finde men ſimple and ignorant, yet they doe not leaue them ſo, ſeeing they were purpoſely appointed by God to illuminate the eyes of the blinde, and to make the fooliſh wiſe. And therefore to forbeare the reading of the Scriptures, becauſe we are rude and of ſmall vnderſtanding, is all one, as if we ſhould refuſe the medicine, becauſe we are ſicke; the eye-ſalue, becauſe we are blinde; and the light of the Sunne, becauſe we are in the darke or dimſighted. It is true, that all places of holy Scriptures are not alike cleare, but though ſome be eaſie and plaine, yet other are ſo high and myſticall, hard to be vnderſtood, and of ſuch abſtruſe difficulty, that the beſt wits and moſt learned may, euen their whole liues, be exerciſed about them, and yet neuer reach to their height, nor ſound them to the bottome. But this muſt not diſcourage the ſimpleſt from reading of them, becauſe it is not neceſſary, nor required of all, that they ſhould vnderſtand eueryevery place, but ſo much as is neceſſarie for their ſaluation, and according to the meaſure of their gifts, which they hauehave Rom. 12. 3.receiued, which if they exceed, they come vnderunder the cenſure of curioſity & preſumption. And for the attayning of that maine end at which eueryevery one muſt ayme, the Bookes of holy Scriptures are fit to be read of all ſorts of men, being not only (as that learned Father obſerued) Auguſtine.in many places a deepe ſea, wherein the Elephant may ſwim, but alſo in as many others, ſhallow Foords, wherein the Lambe may wade. Yea ſo gracious is the Creator and Redeemer of all men, that in penning the holy Scriptures, he hath taken care of the ſimple, as well as of the wiſe and learned. And as in courſe of nature he hath made thoſe things moſt common, which are moſt excellent, profitable and neceſſary, as the Sunne, ayre, fire, water, bread and cloathing, and hath onelyonly reſerued to the rich and noble, peculiar priuiledges in things of leſſe vſe and neceſſity, as gold, ſiluer, precious Iewels (ſo made and called, not by nature, but by fantaſie and opinion) ſilken garments, delicious cates and ſuch like trifles: So he hath layde out in common the maine points of Religion neceſſary to ſaluation, by making them ſo eaſie and familiar, that the meaneſt capacities may comprehend them, if they will vſe the meanes and helpes which he hath ſanctified for this vſe; as feruent prayer for the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit to inlighten our blinde eyes, reading, meditation, comparing one place with another, the publique miniſtery and priuate conference; And hath reſerued other things leſſe neceſſary in abſtruſe obſcurity, as Chronologies, Genealogies, quiddities and intricate queſtions, to exerciſe the curioſitie of ſuch as ſcorne to be vulgarly wiſe, and would gaine vntounto themſelues an opinion of their learning and knowledge. Yea euen the ſame maine points of Religion, which are in ſome places plainely expreſſed, to the capacity of the moſt ſimple, are in other places more obſcurely deliuered, that all ſorts of men might be imployed in this holy exerciſe of reading the Scriptures, the ſimple hauing no cauſe of diſcouragement, by their difficulty; nor the learned, and men of greater gifts, any cauſe of contempt or idle ſloth, through their eaſineſſe; but might hauehave matter deepe enough, to ſound and ſearch out, by their greateſt wit and moſt induſtrious indeuour. So one ſaith, that the Quamuis omnem ſcientiam & doctrinam ſacra Scriptura ſine aliqua comparatione tranſcendat, &c. Gregor.holy Scriptures, without compariſon, excell all other ſcience and learning; for they publiſh and preach the Truth, call vsus to our heauenly Country, inuite the heart of the Reader from earthly deſires, to imbrace heauenly excellencies; the which are not ſo ſhut vp in obſcurity, that we neede to feare them; nor ſo open, that we ſhould contemne them; but the more they are vſed, the leſſe they are loathed, and the more they are loued, the more they are ſtudied, &c. Notwithſtanding euen in this Paradiſe, which aboundeth with all manner of flowers and medicinable hearbs, fit for vſe, neceſſity and delight, there may generally at all times be choyce made of ſuch as are moſt profitable and comfortable, and ſpecially vponupon ſeuerall occaſions. For howſoeuer all contained in them be excellent and fit for diuers vſes, ſo that no part in our reading is alwaies to be paſſed ouer and neglected, yet there are ſome places aboue others, wherein we may hauehave the food of our ſoules in greateſt plentie and variety, and better prepared for our weake ſtomakes. And though they admit of no compariſon with other writings, yet in themſelues one part may excell another, if not in reſpect of their Author or nature, yet in reſpect of our vſe and edification; as contayning and ſetting forth the maine points of our ſaluation more fully and plainely then others. In which reſpect the Prophets are to be preferred before the Bookes of Moſes, as being a Commentarie and expoſition of them. The Prouerbs of Salomon, before diuers of them, as being full fraught with heauenly Wiſdome, and contayning diuine precepts and counſels, fit to guide vsus in all our courſes. And aboue them all, the Booke of the Pſalmes, as being the liuely Anatomie of a true Chriſtian in all eſtates and conditions, a treaſurie of heauenly meditations, diuine wiſdome, holy doctrines and precepts, and a cleare glaſſe, wherein we may ſee, how in all eſtates and conditions God dealeth with his children, and they with him. And finally, the New Teſtament is to be preferred before the Old, becauſe God therein hath more cleerely manifeſted himſelfe and his will, the ſending of our Sauiour Chriſt, and the great worke of Redemption wrought by him, with all the meanes whereby we may be made partakers of him and all his benefits, Gods ſpirituall graces in this life, and eternall ſaluation in the life to come. For howſoeuer they are both all one in ſubſtance, & containe the ſame things, yet with this difference in reſpect of vsus, that the Old Teſtament is the New hid and ſhadowed, the New Teſtament is the Old vnfolded and reuealed.
§. Sect. 4 That we muſt not reade the Scriptures onelyonly, but alſo other religious writings.
But though a Chriſtian man is to ſtudie and read the holy Scriptures chiefely, that he may out of them, as out of the fountaine, know God and all the duties of a godly life, in which reſpect their practice is abſolutely to be condemned, who are ſo wholy taken vp in reading the Fathers, Schoolemen, and late Writers, that they can finde little time to reade and meditate in the Booke of God, and ſo are greateſt ſtrangers where they ſhould be beſt acquainted, and like ill merchants who buy all their wares at the ſecond or third hand: yet we are not ſo wholy to be conuerſant in them, as to neglect or to want time to peruſe the writings of godly and learned men, who by the helpe of their feruent prayers, the gifts of learning and tongues, and their ſerious ſtudies and diligent labours, hauehave giuen the true ſenſe and meaning of them, and hauehave diſtinctly handled and cleered the maine points of Religion contained in them. Not that the Scriptures doe not themſelues ſufficiently teach all things neceſſarie vntounto ſaluation, without any humane addition; but becauſe the Lord, intending to vſe the miniſtery of his ſeruants the Prophets and Paſtors of his Church, for the edification of his people, hath cauſed them to be ſo penned, as that there ſhould be continuall vſe both of their expoſitions and application. Which whoſo contemne or neglect, and content themſelues with the ſole reading of the Scriptures, if they be not of eminent parts, and indued with a great meaſure of ſpirituall vnderſtanding, they will but ſlowly proceed in the growth of their knowledge, nor without much labour, and long ſtudy, attaine vntounto any great perfection, though they may get ſome ſuch competency as is neceſſary to ſaluation. For many eyes ſee more then one, and great workes are effected more ſpeedily and eaſily, that are ſet forward with the helpe of many hands. And therefore I cannot commend their courſe, though otherwiſe they be godly and religious, and much leſſe thoſe who ſet them in it, that neglect the reading of all others bookes beſides the holy Scriptures, becauſe they hauehave all-ſufficiency in them; though in reſpect of the publike meanes they much preferre (as they hauehave good cauſe) the Word ſincerely and ſoundly preached, before the Word barely read; notwithſtanding that this publike reading is to be preferred before priuate, as before I hauehave ſhewed. As though children ſhould content themſelues with the whole loafe of bread, or ioynt of meat, becauſe they hauehave in them ſufficient nouriſhment, and refuſe to hauehave it cut out and carued vntounto them, vnleſſe it be at a publike feaſt, becauſe, with much adoe, they can twitch and pull ſome little pieces and fragments from them, which may bee enough to hold life and ſoule together. But let ſuch know, that howſoeuer the Scriptures containe all things neceſſary to ſaluation; yea, are ſufficient to ſaue the moſt ignorant, through the inward illumination of the Spirit, where all other helpes and meanes are wanting, yet where theſe are to bee had, they will be leſſe ſufficient and effectuall to vsus, if wee neglect them, ſeeing the Lord granteth them vntounto vsus to this end, that wee ſhould vſe them for the cleering of thoſe places that are obſcure, and for the inforcing and applying of thoſe poynts that are more plaine, for the diſcuſſing of doubtfull caſes, and for the laying open of many poynts of doctrine, neceſſary for our direction in the courſe of a godly life; which being many of them not manifeſtly expreſſed, but implied and to bee gathered by neceſſary conſequence, it is not within the reach of eueryevery ones capacity, to gather them ſufficiently by their owne reading and meditation, eſpecially if they neglect wilfully thoſe helpes which the Lord graciouſly doth offer vntounto them.
§. Sect. 5 Some ſpeciall directions for the choyce of fit Authours which may helpe vsus in the practice of godlineſſe.
Now amongſt thoſe innumerable bookes which are ſet forth by learned and godly men, we muſt vſe ſingular care to chuſe ſuch as are moſt profitable for our edification. As thoſe firſt and before others, which are ſufficient to informe our iudgements in the maine poynts of Chriſtian Religion, the knowledge whereof is neceſſary to ſaluation. Of which we may hauehave plentifull choyce, both thoſe which handle all theſe poynts more briefly and compendiouſly; as Doctor Nowels Catechiſme, Maſter Bezaes Confeſſion, queſtions & anſweres, Doctor Hall, Doctor Burges, and Maſter Balls Catechiſmes, A briefe method of Catechizing, The way to true bleſſedneſſe, and many others; and ſuch as handle the ſame poynts more fully and largely: as Virels Catechiſme, Baſtingius, The ſumme of ſacred Diuinity, A treatiſe of Chriſtian Religion, Vrſinus Catechiſme, Caluins Inſtitutions, and the Workes of our reuerend Countreyman Maſter Perkins, who hath excellently handled the moſt poynts of Chriſtian Religion, in his learned and religious writings. And hauing thorowly informed our iudgements, by reading and ſtudying ſome of theſe, or others of like nature, which by the light of our owne iudgements, or helpe of others directions, we thinke fitteſt for vsus, wee may then alſo profitably peruſe other writings, which may further and direct vsus in the duties of piety and of a godly life. As Maſter Rogers his ſeuen Treatiſes; or if they ſeeme too long for our little leiſure, the abridgement of them, the which is ſo exactly done, that in my iudgement it fully comprizeth in it the whole ſumme and ſubſtance of them all, with the addition of many other particular poynts and proofes: Or another intituled, Directions to a godly life, gathered out of the ſame 7. Treatiſes. Beſides, other books in our own language, which as excellently as in any other, handle both learnedly and religiouſly, many ſpeciall parts of Chriſtianity, and particular diſcourſes, tending to piety, which are moſt perſwaſiue, pithy and profitable, to further vsus in all the duties of a godly life. Amongſt which, I cannot but commend vntounto thee (Chriſtian Reader) that plaine and familiar expoſition of the ten Commandements, with all other workes of the ſame Authours. The workes of thoſe reuerend ſeruants of God, Maſter Greenham, Maſter Arthur Dent, and of my late worthy aſſiſtant, Maſter Daniel Dike, who ſhall be euer vntounto me of happy memory; in whoſe Treatiſes nothing ſeemeth wanting, which piety, learning and wit could adde vntounto them. And finally, the workes of our famous and diuine Engliſh Seneca, in Doctour Hall.which, wit and piety are ſo matched, as that they ſeeme to ſtriue which ſhould exceed the other. Many other labours of worthy men might bee added, ſome of which ſtill remaine as excellent ornaments and lights in Gods Church, and ſome are at reſt with the Lord, and hauehave receiued the Crowne of their labours, but that I would not too much increaſe mine owne booke with naming other mens, and alſo becauſe I thought it fit to leaue ſome to the Readers choyce, and to the aduice of others, which vponupon notice of their eſtates can direct them better. OnelyOnly aiming at mine owne maine end of perſwading all to the duties of a godly life, let mee giuegive this generall rule to bee obſerued, that wee rather make choyce of ſuch bookes, as doe ſoundly informe the iudgement, and worke powerfully vponupon the heart and affections, then of ſuch as containing little but idle eloquence and frothy conceits of wit, doe nouriſh in the Reader, vaine curioſity, and pleaſe his phantaſie with fruitleſſe flaſhes. Yea, I would perſwade the deuout Chriſtian (to whom I chiefly write) who laboureth more after piety, then learning and ſpeculatiue knowledge, that they would principally reade ſuch bookes, as will make them more holy and religious, rather then more learned; and ſuch experimentall Diuinity, as will fit and further them for Chriſtian practice, rather then for diſcourſe. Neither can I commend to ſuch the ſtudies of Genealogies, Chronologies & controuerſies, except hauing begun with thoſe before-named, they hauehave not onelyonly leiſure ſufficient for the other alſo, and excellent wits and parts to comprehend and profit by them; but alſo liue in ſuch places which are infected with errours, ſchiſmes, and hereſies, where, in reſpect of their company, they ſhall need to be extraordinarily confirmed and ſtrengthened, that they may be able to defend the truth, and to confute and conuince gain-ſayers; yea if it bee poſſible, to perſwade and gaine them, that they may imbrace the ſame truth which they profeſſe. In which caſe I would commend vntounto them the learned writings of B. Iewell, againſt Harding; of Doctor Fulke, and eſpecially his anſwere to the Rhemiſh Teſtament, Doctor Reynolds conference with Hart, Maſter Perkins his Reformed Catholique; Doctor Abbots learned defence of it againſt Biſhop, Doctor Whites Way to the true Church, and Doctor Willets Synopſis, which comprizeth in it the ſumme of many others, and learnedly diſputeth and diſcuſſeth the moſt poynts in controuerſie between vsus and our aduerſaries. Otherwiſe I ſhould perſwade thoſe whoſe maine aime is to informe themſelues in the duties of godlineſſe, that they may practiſe them in their liues, to be more ſparing in the ſtudy of Controuerſies, ſeeing if they cleerly ſee the perfect rule of truth, it will inable them to diſcerne the crooked errours which are contrary vntounto it, it being ſuch a light, as not onelyonly ſheweth it ſelfe, but alſo all falſhood which is oppoſite and oppugneth it.