Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon 3 – Title page 2
SCRIPTURE-LIGHT, The moſt Sure LIGHT.
Sermon III.
2 PET. 1.19.
We have alſo a more ſure Word of Propheſie, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that ſhineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-ſtar ariſe in your hearts.
AS Scripture-Light, is the moſt excellent Light, the beſt, and moſt ſure Light, in compare with al other Lights, or whatever may pretend to Light; So it is our Duty, the Duty of all the Saints, and People of God, The fourth General Propoſitionto take heed thereunto, and that eſpecially in their dark times and places, which is the Fourth thing propounded …o your Conſideration, and which doth neceſſarily fol…ow from th… …ther For if the Scripture, or the written Word of God, be our great, and moſt ſure Light; then it is our Duty, the Duty of al the Saints and People of God, to take heed thereunto eſpecially in their dark times and places. Yet further, ye ſhal do wel that ye take heed thereunto, for the Doctrine of the Goſpel written, Is,
The Word of the Son of God: The more excellent the Perſon is, that ſpeaks unto you, the more diligently ye wil take heed unto what he ſaith. Now the Goſpel, or the Word of God written, is the Word of the Son. Some there are, who ſay, That Chriſt only is called the Word, or the Word of God; and that the Doctrine preached, or written, is not the Word, or the Word of God. But though Chriſt be called the Word, John 1. yet I do not find in al the New Teſtament, that he is called the Word of God for the preſent; there is a time a coming when he ſhal be called King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Word of God; but for the preſent he is called the Word: And if the Doctrine preached, be not called the Word of God, why doth our Savior ſay, The Sower went forth to ſow, and ſome …ell in the high way, ſome on ſtony ground, and ſome on thorny ground, and the Seed is the Word of God: Is that Chriſt? what doth Chriſt himſelf in perſon fall on the high-way ground, and ſtony ground? and is Chriſt divided? for the Seed is the Word of God, and ſome of it fel on one ground, and ſome on another: doth Chriſt himſelf fal thus? No, but the Doctrine preached doth, and therefore that is called the Word of God: And if the Word written, be not called the Word of God, what doth the Apoſtle mean, when he ſaith, Rom. 9.6. Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect? doth he mean Chriſt thereby? No, but he ſpeaketh plainly the Word of Promiſe, which is written in the Scriptures: Yea, the whol Scripture is ſo ful of this, that I need not turn to any particular place. The Scripture is every where called the Word of God; and if the Word of God written, be the Word of the Son, then we are to take heed thereunto; for ſaies the Apoſtle, Heb. 2. Therefore ought we to give the more earneſt heed to the things which we have heard; for if the Word ſpoken by Angels, were ſtedfaſt, how ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great Salvation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him? verſe 1, 2, 3.
As the Scripture is the Word of the Son; ſo it is the only Rule of our Lives. Now that which is the only Rule of our Lives,Scriptura eſt luſerna pedibus, à qua non deflectendum. Eccleſiae ſapientia, cognitionis forma foreign; cujus teſtimoniis omnia conſumanda ex qua …ri…ntur demonſt…ationes. Cui quae c…nſentiunt admittenda et quae non conſentiunt rejicienda. Ergo eſt vitae fidelque Regula. Chami…rus, 1. Tom. de cano fidei Lib. 1. Cap. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. we are in ſpecial manner to take heed unto. But the Scripture, and the Word of God written, is the only Rule of our Lives; for it is a Light unto our feet, and a Lanthorn to our paths, Pſal. 119. It is the Wiſdom of the Church, and People of God, Deut. 4. It is that which we may not turn aſide from, either to the right hand, or to the left, Deut. 28. It is that whereby Doctrines are to be rejected, or admitted, Acts, 17. It is that which nothing muſt be added to, or taken from, Deut. 4. Rev. 22. It is that which we are all to have recourſe unto for Comfort and Direction, Eſ. 8. To the Law, and to the Teſtimony, if men ſay not ſo, it is becauſe there is no Light in them. Now if the Scripture, and the Word of God written, be a Light unto our paths; the wiſdom of the Church, and People of God; if it be that whereby Doctrines are to be admitted, or rejected; if that; from which we may not turn, either to the right, or to the left; from which nothing may be taken, and to which nothing may be added; and if it be that which we are to reſort continually unto, for comfort and direction; then it is the Rule, and only Rule of our Lives. But ſo it is, as al theſe fore-mentioned Scriptures do plainly prove; and therefore it is the Rule, and the only Rule of our Lives.
As the Scripture, and the Word of God written, is the only Rule; ſo it is that Salt which doth ſeaſon all your Enjoyments:Omne quod extra Dei verbum eſt, eſt Idolatria, omne quod fit in verbo eſt verus cultus ſicut omne quod fit ſine fide eſt peccatum et omne quod fit in fide eſt bonum opus: quod inter verbum et fidem eſt conjugium indiſſolubile. Luther. It's the Rule and Meaſure of your Worſhip; for if you do not worſhip according to the Appointments of God in his written Word, your Worſhip is but Idolatry and Superſtition: Superſtitio eſt quicquid eſt ſupra Statutum. It's the great relief of your Souls in time of Temptation. Hereby Chriſt anſwered to all his Temptations: It is written, and again it's written, and again it's written, and Chriſts Practice muſt be your Rule. It's that which Sanctifieth al your outward Comforts, even amongſt the Creatures; for ſaies the Apoſtle, 1 Tim. 4.4. Every Creature of God is good, if it be received with thanks-giving; Anima omnibus rebus carere poteſt excepto verbo Dei, ego quidem ſine verbo ne in Paradiſo optarim vivere at cum verbo etiam in Inferno facile eſt vivere. Eſt verbum talis theſaurus qui tractando creſcit et diſtribuendo ſervando autem petir. Luther Scriptura eſt Communis animarum officina. Baſil. Omnipotentis Epiſtola ad homines miſſa. Gregor. foreign nutrimentum et cibus animae. Athanaſ.for it is ſanctified by the Word, and Prayer. I profeſs (ſaies Luther) I cannot live without the written Word of God; I can want any thing but the Scripture, or the written Word of God: If I were in Hell, I could live with a Promiſe; and though I were in Paradice, yet if I had not the Word with me, I could not live there. O! ſaith he, the Word is ſo great and deep a Treaſure, that it doth encreaſe by diſtributing; yea, it is even Genus generaliſſimum omnium bonorum; that general good thing under God and Chriſt, that hath Influence into al good things. And ſhal the Word of God written, be ſuch a bleſſed Treaſure, and ſhal we not take heed thereunto?
As it is the Salt of al your Comforts; ſo it is, land ſhal be your Judg at the great day: Chriſt is the only Judg then, but this Book of the Scripture, and the Word of God written, is that whereby he wil Judg you, and me, and the World; for at the laſt, and great Day, when men come to be tried for their Eternal Lives, the Books ſhal be brought out; not one Book, but Books, Revel. 20.12. And I ſaw the dead, both ſmal and great, ſtand before God, and the Books were opened, and another Book was opened. It ſeems then, that three Books ſhal be opened at the great Day; one Book is the Book of Life; two other there are, the Book of Gods Records; for a Book of Remembrance is written upon all our Actions, Mal. 3. and the Book of the Scripture, or the Word of God; for ſaith our Savior, John, 12.48. The Word that I have ſpoken, the ſame ſhall judg him in the laſt day. Now this Word that Chriſt hath ſpoken, is written, and therefore men ſhal be judged thereby: but if the Scripture, and the Word of God written, be that Book whereby men ſhal be judged at the laſt; then ſurely it is our Duty in ſpecial manner to take heed thereunto.
As the Scripture, is that Book whereby we ſhal al be judged; ſo it ſhal be eſtabliſhed upon us, if we be not eſtabliſhed by it: for ſaies the Apoſtle, Heb. 2. If the Word ſpoken by Angels, was ſtedfaſt, and every tranſgreſſion, and diſobedience, received a juſt recompence of reward; how ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great ſalvation, which at the firſt began to be spoken by his Son? What then? Therefore we ought to give the more heed to the things we have heard, leſt we let them ſlip; Why? For if we be unſtedfaſt, yet the Word of God is ſtedfaſt: The Word that God ſpake by Moſes, was ſtedfaſt, and eſtabliſhed upon them that diſobeyed. So now, much more, ſaies he, if you be not ſtedfaſt, and eſtabliſhed by the Word, it ſhal be eſtabliſhed upon you, unto your Deſtruction: O! what infinite reaſon is there then, that we ſhould take heed thereunto?
Object. But the Text ſaith, That we ſhal do wel to take heed thereunto, til the day dawn, and Day-ſtar ariſe in our hearts: but the day hath dawned on me, and the day-ſtar hath ariſen in my heart; and therefore now, what need I take heed to the Scripture, or the written Word any longer?
Anſw. Yea, Stil you have need to do it: for did not the day dawn, and the day-ſtar ariſe on the hearts of the Apoſtles, and Chriſtians in their daies, according to your ſenſe and meaning? yet they ſtill attended on the written Word of God. Surely therefore, the meaning of the Text is not according to that Conjecture. Some therefore would have the words to be read thus: Till the day-ſtar ariſe on your hearts; and ſo think they are ſpoken of the Day of Judgment, concerning which time, Paul ſaies, 1 Cor. 4, 5. That Chriſt will bring to light, the hidden things of darkneſs, and will make manifeſt the Counſels of the heart. foreign emphatice ſolet ſumi pro foreign etiam donec et continuitatem ſignificare ſeu conſecutionem non exceptionem vel excluſionem futuri temporis. Genebrad. in Pſal. 109.But as ye have heard in the Explication of the Text, the word Ʋntil, in Scripture Phraſe, is not alwaies taken excluſively: for Example; David ſaith, Pſ. 57.1. My ſoul truſteth in thee, O God, and in the ſhadow of thy wings will I truſt, till this Calamity be over-paſt. What would David truſt in God no longer? Yes: but he would do it eſpecially whilſt that Calamity continued. So Pſal. 123. he ſaith, Our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, till he have mercy upon us: What would they wait on God no longer? Yes: but in their diſtreſs eſpecially. So Cant. 2.16, 17. I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine, he feedeth among the Lillies, until the day break: What doth Chriſt feed among the Lillies no longer? wil he not feed among the Lillies after the day break? Yes: But the word Till, or Ʋntil, is not alwaies to be taken excluſively. And I'le give you but one Scripture for it, amongſt many in the New Teſtament, Matth. 12.20. A bruiſed Reed will he not break, and the ſmoaking Flax ſhall he not quench, until he bring forth Judgment unto Victory: What wil Chriſt break the bruiſed Reed then? and quench the ſmoaking Flax after he hath brought Judgment to Victory? No: but the word Ʋntil, in Scripture Phraſe, is not alwaies to be taken excluſively. And ſo here in this Text, Ye do wel, that ye take heed to the word of Propheſie, until the day dawn, and the day-ſtar ariſe in your hearts: Hac enim particula foreign donec Scriptura atque adeo Lingua Hebraica affirmat quod in dubitationem poſſit incidere. Genebrad. Ibid.not, that then you ſhould ceaſe taking heed to the Word, but becauſe you are now in the dark; now, and now eſpecially, ye are to take heed thereunto.
Queſt. But why are the Saints, and People of God to take heed unto the Scripture, and the written Word of God, especially in their dark times and ſeaſons?
Anſw. Becauſe they are then in moſt danger of ſtumbling, and falling: he that walketh in the dark, ſtumbleth; and who is not then apt to fal? But by taking heed to this ſure Light, they ſhal be kept from the power of their darkneſs. The Scripture tels us of darkneſs, and of the power of darkneſs: A good man may be in the dark, but he is kept from the power of it, by taking heed unto this great, and moſt ſure Light; yea, though he be in the darkneſs of ſome Error (for the greateſt Errors lie neereſt to the ſweeteſt Truths) and though he do not ſee that Truth for the preſent; yet if he do take heed unto the Word, the ſweetneſs of that Truth ſhal ouſe through the Error, and preſerve and keep me from the Power of it. But if ye look into 2 Tim. 3. ye ſhal find the Apoſtle doth inform Timothy of very ſad and dark times, that ſhal be in the latter daies, verſe 1. In the laſt daies, perillous times ſhal come. 1. He tels him wherein the peril of theſe times ſhal conſiſt. 2. He tels him the ſigns thereof. 3. He comforts him under it. 4. He ſhews how he, and we may be kept from the power of that darkneſs: In the laſt daies, perillous times ſhal come; for ſaies he, Men ſhal be Lovers of themſelves, covetous, Boaſters, proud, Blasphemers, diſobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without Natural affection, truce-breakers, falſe accuſers, incontinent, fierce, despiſers of thoſe that are good, having a form of Godlineſs, &c. ver. 2, 3, 4, 5. It ſeems then that men may be thus wicked, yet may bear up to a form of Godlineſs. 2. He tels Timothy the ſign of theſe perillous times, and who theſe perſons are, Such as creep into Houſes, and lead captive, ſilly women laden with divers luſts, verſe 6. Who alſo ſhall reſiſt the Truth in the Miniſtry, as Jannes and Jambres withſtood Moſes, ver. 8. 3. He comforts him againſt the evil of theſe dark Times, verſe 9. But they ſhall proceed no further; for their folly, or madneſs, ſhall be manifeſt to all men. 4. He directs him, and us by him, how to ſtand, and hold faſt, ver. 14. and that is two waies: Firſt, by avoiding, and turning away from theſe corrupt men, verſe 5. From ſuch turn away, ſpeak not to them, or with them; go not to them, but turn away from them. Secondly, By taking heed to the Word of God preached and written, verſe 14. But continue thou in the things that thou haſt learned, and haſt been aſſured of, knowing of whom thou haſt learned them, and that from a child thou haſt known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wiſe to Salvation. So that here the Apoſtle doth refer him, both to the Word preached and written; as if he ſhould ſay, the only way to be kept from ſeducers (verſe 13. men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the Faith) is to take heed unto the Scripture. And indeed, what is the reaſon that ſo many in theſe daies of ours are deceived, but becauſe they do not take heed unto this great, and moſt ſure Light? This is that great, and moſt excellent Light, which we are to take heed unto at al times, but eſpecially in our dark times, and places, and thus we ſhal be preſerved.
Object. But if this be ſuch a preſervative againſt the power of darkneſs, why then are ſo many men in the dark? who doth not run to Scripture? What Heretick is there, or ever was, who did not plead, and lay claim to Scripture?
Anſw. All Hereticks do not lay claim to Scripture: Some deny the Scripture, ſome do not: Some (as Theodoret obſerves of the Hereticks in his time) wil make uſe of thoſe Scriptures which ſeem to make for them;foreign. Si videant petitis è Scripturae demonſtrationibus ſtultitiam ſuam conſtringi, tum Scripturae recuſant et ſcopum et uſum; ſi quando vero putant ſibi favere nudum aliquod effatum á genuina reciſum orationis ſerie ad ſuum propoſitum accommodant ſuis confirmandis. Tecod. opuſ. contra varias Hereſes quae ſunt in 2. Tom. oper. Athanas. but as for thoſe Scriptures which are plainly againſt them, they reject, and if cloſe preſſed, wil deny the very Body of the Scripture as any Rule to them.
But it's one thing to cite Scripture, and another thing to take heed thereunto. The Devil cited Scripture to our Savior Chriſt, but he did not take heed unto it, as to his Rule of life. If we take heed thereto, then we ſhal be kept, and preſerved by it, even from the power of that darkneſs which we may labor under. And thus now I have done with the Fourth General Thing propounded, and have cleered the Doctrine.
Applic. 1 If this Doctrine be true, then what cauſe have we to bleſs God, and not to deſpiſe Humane Learning: Miſtake not, I ſhal not go about to preach up Humane Learning in the Church of God; but though I do not preach up the Excellency of Meat, Drink, and Cloathing, or outward Bleſſings; yet I may cal upon you, and my ſelf, not to deſpiſe the ſame, but to bleſs God for them: So, though I do not preach up the excellency of Humane Learning; yet I may cal upon you, and my ſelf, not to deſpiſe the ſame, but to bleſs God for it: For if Scripture-Light, be ſo excellent a Light; and the Word of God written, that whereunto we are all to take heed; then what a Mercy and Bleſſing is it, that this Word and Scripture, is tranſlated into the Engliſh Tongue: it was not firſt written in Engliſh, but in Hebrew, and Greek; it could not have been brought forth into Engliſh, but by the help of Humane Learning; and wil ye then de…piſe Humane Learning, and not bleſs God for it? O! ye wanton hearts, remember how the poor Martyrs in Queen Maries time, did bleſs God for the Engliſh Tranſlation; and how could that be without Humane Learning? Then let us bleſs God for it, and not deſpiſe it.
Applic. 2 If this Doctrine be true, viz. That Scripture-Light is ſo great a Light, which al are to take heed unto; then what a ſad condition are thoſe in, who do deny, and forſake the Scripture? they are in the dark indeed. I confeſs a good man may be tempted, as to other ſins, ſo to this, To doubt of the Truth of the Scripture: But do I hear a man that hath been a Profeſſor? one that hath known God, and his Waies? one that is under no Temptation? Do I hear ſuch an one denying the Scripture, as any Rule to him? Write that man Childleſs, write him Faithleſs, without Chriſt, and without God in this World. Ah! poor ſoul, here is one whoſe Foundations are plucked up, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. O! the ſad condition of this poor Creature, he hath forſaken the Light, and now is under the power of darkneſs: Whither ſhould he go? for he hath left the words of Eternal life; yet Lord, how many have theſe times brought forth, that are come to this height of wickedneſs? But beloved, I do not only hope, but am aſſured better things of you: only hear the word of Exhortation, and that is,
Applic. 3 Take heed, and attend to the Scriptures; for they are our great, and moſt ſure Light, whereunto ye do wel, if ye take heed, as unto a Light ſhining in a dark place: O! then take heed thereunto.
Queſt. What muſt we do, that we may take heed, and attend unto Scripture?
Anſw. Ye muſt do three things. 1. Ye muſt attend to know and underſtand it. 2. Ye muſt attend to keep it. 3. And ye muſt attend to walk by the ſame. And
Firſt: For your knowledg in, and underſtanding of the Scripture, and the written Word of God, ye muſt,
Obſerve, keep, and hold faſt the Letter of it; for though the Letter of the Scripture be not the Word alone, yet the Letter with the true ſenſe and meaning of it, is the Word. The Body of a Man, is not the Man; but the Body and Soul together, make up the whol man: the Soul alone, or the Body alone, is not the Man. So here;foreign &c. foreign in lego ſine Scripturis non eſt litera a qua non pendent magni montes Doctrinarum. Rabbim. though the Letter of the Scripture alone, do not make up the Word; yet the Letter, and ſenſe together, do: and if ye deſtroy the Body, ye deſtroy the Man; ſo if ye deſtroy the Letter of the Scripture, you do deſtroy the Scripture; and if you deny the Letter, how is it poſſible that you ſhould attain to the true ſenſe thereof, when the Senſe lies wrapped up in the Letters, and the words thereof?
Object. But if I attend to the Letter in my Practice, then I ſhall be a Profeſſor of the Letter: and if a Preacher do attend to the Letter, then he ſhall be a Miniſter of the Letter.
Anſw. Not ſo: For when the Apoſtle ſaith, We are not Miniſters of the Letter, but of the Spirit, his meaning plainly there is, not of the Law, but of the Goſpel: for in that 2 Cor. 3. he cals the Miniſtration of the Law, the Letter; and the whol Miniſtration of the Goſpel, the Spirit: Thoſe therefore that preach, or walk according to the Miniſtration of the Law, are Miniſters, and Profeſſors of the Letter: thoſe that preach, or walk according to the Miniſtration of the Goſpel, are Miniſters, and Profeſſors of the Spirit: And therefore thoſe that depart from, and deſpiſe the Miniſtration of the Goſpel, do depart from, and do deſpight to the Spirit: It's one thing for a man to keep the Letter of the Scripture, ſo as not to deny the ſame; another thing to keep to the Letter, only for the meaning of it: It's one thing to preach from the Letter; another thing to preach the Letter. Our Lord and Savior Chriſt, when he expounded that Eſai. 61. (as ye read Luke, 4.) did not preach the Letter, yet he preached from the Letter. So now, we may preach from the Letter of the Scripture, yet not preach the Letter, or be Miniſters of the Letter; and you may practice the Word from the Letter of the Scripture, and yet not be Profeſſors of the Letter, that is, of the Law, and the Miniſtration of it.
Queſt. How can we hold, and keep faſt, the Letter of the Scripture, when there are ſo many Greek Copies of the New Teſtament? and thoſe diverſe one from another?
Anſw. 1 Yes, well: For though there are many received Copies of the New Teſtament; yet there is no material difference between them. The four Evangeliſts do vary in the Relation of the ſame thing; yet becauſe there is no contradiction, or material variation, we do adhere to al of them, and deny none. In the times of the Jews, before Chriſt, they had but one Original of the Old Teſtament; yet that hath ſeveral readings: there is a Marginal reading, and a Line reading, and they differ no leſs than eight hundred times the one from the other; yet the Jews did adhere to both, and denied neither; Why? Becauſe there was no material difference. And ſo now, though there be many Copies of the New Teſtament; yet ſeeing there is no material difference between them, we may adhere to all: For whoever wil underſtand the Scripture, muſt be ſure to keep, and hold faſt the Letter, not denying it.
Anſw. 2 If you would have the true knowledg, and underſtand the Scripture, and ſo behold this great Light in its full glory and brightneſs; you muſt diligently enquire into the true ſenſe and meaning of it: for the true ſenſe and meaning, is the ſoul thereof. Now the Scripture, or the Word of God written, may be expounded: for Ezra ſtood up before the People in a Pulpit, and gave duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page the ſenſe of the Scripture. Chriſt himſelf is ſaid to expound: and 2 Pet. 1.20. No Scripture is of any private Interpretation: The word foreign, ſignifies, Expoſition; it's the ſame word that is uſed in Luke, 4. Chriſt ſtood up, and expounded. Now ſaith the Apoſtle, No Scripture is of any private Expoſition; therefore it may be expounded; and if not, why were Gifts given to men by the Aſcention of Chriſt? It's a very dangerous thing to bear falſe witneſs againſt the Truth of Chriſt. Now if a man do not take heed unto the true ſenſe and meaning of the Scripture, but wil rigidly adhere to the Letter of the Scripture, he may quickly bear falſe witneſs againſt the Truth. Mark, 14.56. it's ſaid, that many did bear falſe witneſs againſt Chriſt, but their witneſs agreed not together: But how did they bear falſe witneſs? They teſtified that Chriſt ſaid, I can deſtroy the Temple of God, and build it again in three daies, which our Savior Chriſt ſpake of his Body; they applied to the Temple of the Jews, and ſo they are ſaid to b…r …al e witneſs; Why? becauſe they kept to his words only, and not to his ſenſe and meaning: So that we had need take heed how we report the words of Chriſt; though we do adhere to his words, yet if we keep not to his meaning, we ſhal be found falſe witneſſes againſt him and his Truth. Search the Scriptures, ſaith our Savior; why ſearch? even becauſe the ſenſe and meaning doth lie deep. And therefore it is not enough for us that we do adhere to the words, but we muſt diligently enquire into the true ſenſe, and the meaning of them.
Object. But one Scripture hath many Senſes; a Literal Senſe, and a Spiritual Senſe; a Literal Senſe, and a Myſtical: How ſhall we be able then, to find out the true Senſe, and the Meaning of it?
Anſw. 1 Nay, but the ſame Scripture hath but one intire Senſe. Indeed Papiſts tel us, that one Scripture hath many Senſes; but the Proteſtants hold,Excipiendus eſt Michael Medina. That there is but one intire Senſe of a Scripture, though divers applications of it. As for Example: The Old Teſtament ſaies, Thou ſhalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox, which the Apoſtle applies to the maintenance of the Miniſters. The Senſe is but one in divers parts, thus; as the mouth of the Ox is not to be muzzled, ſo Miniſtry is to be maintained. There is but one whol ſenſe of a Scripture, though divers parts and applications of it.
Anſw. 2 Though the ſenſe of the Scripture be but one intire ſenſe, yet ſomtimes the Scripture is to be underſtood Literally, ſomtimes Figuratively, and Metaphorically (but alwaies Spiritually, for when it is taken Literally, it is taken Spiritually) for ſaies the Apoſtle; If thy Brother offend thee, heap coals of fire upon his head. that is not to be taken Literally, but Metaphorically. So when our Savior ſaith, If thine eye, or hand, or foot offend thee, pull it out, and cut it off; this is not to be underſtood Literally, but Metaphorically.
Anſw. 3 Though the Scripture be applied Myſtically ſomtimes, and doth receive a Myſtical application; yet for your direction herein, ye muſt know,
That there is no Fundamental Doctrine of our Salvation, but is laid down plainly, and without Myſticalneſs: The Covenants of the Law, Thou ſhalt have no other god but me; and Thou ſhalt love they Neighbor as thy ſelf; Faith in Chriſt, and love to our Neighbor: all the Fundamental Doctrines of our Salvation, are laid down plainly, and literally.
Though the great matters of our Salvation, be expreſſed plainly and literally; yet if the literal ſenſe of any Scripture, be contrary to common ſenſe, or reaſon, or to modeſty, honeſty, and good manners; then we are to bawk the literal ſenſe: For example, our Savior ſaith, This is my Body, in the Lords Supper; if theſe words be taken literally, it is againſt common ſen…e and reaſon; therefore you muſt bawk the literal ſenſe, and underſtand them otherwiſe. Again, the Lord commanded the Prophet to go naked; if this be underſtood literally, it would be againſt common modeſty. So when our Savior ſaith, If thine eye offend thee, pull it out; if thine hand offend thee, cut it off: If this be underſtood Literally, it would fight with that Commandement, Thou ſhalt not kill: therefore the Literal ſenſe is ſomtimes to be bawked.
Though we are not alwaies to adhere to the bare Letter, for the meaning of the words;In interpretatione Scripturae ſacrae illud apprime obſervandum eſt ne ulla vis inferatur literali. Auguſt. de quivoſ. Diſput. de ſenſu Scripturae. Verborum ſacrae Scripturae Germana intelligentia imprimis quaerenda et inſtituenda, non quod tropo-logicam intelligentiā condemnemus ſed quod ſpiritualis interpretatio ſequi debet ordinem hiſtoriae, quod plerique ignorantes, lymphati co in ſacra Scriptura vagantur errore. Hieronyn. in cap. 13. Eſ. yet if the words be applied myſtically, ye are not to make a force upon the Hiſtory; Myſtery doth not deſtroy the Hiſtory. The Hiſtory of the two women, Hagar and Sarah, is by the Apoſtle applied to the two Teſtaments; yet this doth not deſtroy the Hiſtory: For as words are the Subſtractum of the Hiſtory; ſo Hiſtory is the Subſtractum of the Myſtery. Some when they have attained to the Myſtical application, do deny the Hiſtory; but remember, that though the words of the Scripture be applied myſtically, yet the Myſtery is never to deſtroy the Hiſtory.
And though the words of Scripture be ſomtimes applied Myſtically, yet you muſt know that there is nothing Myſtical in one Scripture,Q…is autem non impudentiſſime nitatur aliquid quod in Allegoria poſitum eſt, per ſe interpretari niſi et manifeſta habeat Teſtimonia quorum lumine illuſtrentur obſcura. Auſtin. Epiſt 48. ad Vincent. Donat. Si animus eſt allegori…m t… ere vide inprimis, ut interpretationis ejus quam meditatis ſententia a…ibi in Scripturis clare et abſque tropo expreſſo inveniatur atque detracto velamine analogiae fidei reſpondeat. Flac. Illyric. pars altera Tract. 1. de ra…ione cognoſcendi Scripturas Obſerv. 2▪ but is Literally ſet down in another Scripture; let any man ſhew me any Truth ſet down Myſtically in one place, but I wil ſhew it literally expreſſed in another. Some would have al the Scripture to be underſtood myſtically: But doth any man tel you this and that Scripture is not literally, but myſtically to be underſtood? then let him ſhew you where the ſame Truth is ſet down literally in another place, elſe you may not beleeve him: and if you walk by this Rule, and Rules, you ſhal walk ſafely here, and in ſome good meaſure be helped to the true ſenſe and meanng of the Scripture in this caſe.
Obj. But ſuppoſe that a Scripture lie under Controverſie: One laies claim to it for his Opinion, and another laies claim to it for his Opinion, how ſhall I be able to underſtand the true ſenſe and meaning of it? Or ſuppoſe I be in the dark, in a dark eſtate and condition, how ſhall I ſo take heed unto the Scripture, that I may know, and underſtand the ſame?
Anſw. Somthing you muſt do by way of Obſervation; ſomthing by way of Practice.
As for Obſervation, in caſe you be able, you muſt conſult the Original: For as old Mr. Dod, once anſwered to a yong man, enquiring of him what was the beſt Commentary upon the Scripture, The Original, the Hebrew, and the Greek Text, ſaid he, is the beſt Commentary: So ſay I, the very Text in the Original doth con…i…es put an end to the Controverſie. As for Example: the Apoſtle ſaith of Women, They ſhal be ſaved by Child-bearing; which ſome Books read thus; They ſhall be ſaved by bearing of Children: whereupon a Controverſie ariſes, whether thoſe following words, if they continue in the Faith, do relate to Children, or to Women; whereas if men looked into the Original, they ſhould find that the word is but one in the ſingular, according to our Tranſlation,foreign &c. …er filiorum g… ratio… …. …. they ſhall be ſaved by Child-bearing, and therefore the following words muſt relate unto Women: Therefore it is good to conſult with the Original; and though you cannot underſtand Hebrew, or Greek, yet you may conſult with the Original, and not pin your Faith upon anothers Learning: for i… you ask three or four, how ſuch or ſuch a verſe ſhould be …anſlated, and they do al agree in their Tranſlation for the ſubſtance, you know that ſo it is in the Original, not becauſe ſuch a man doth ſay ſo, but becauſe of their agreement, which could not be, if it were not ſo in …th.
If you would underſtand the true ſenſe and meaning of a controverted …cripture; then look wel into the Coherence, the Scope, and the Context thereof: For as the He…ew Rabbin ſaies wel,Nulla eſt Objectio in lege, quae non habet ſolutionem in latere. Turpe eſt de lege judicate tota lege… …dum nſpecta. Q…is, ſ…pus, imp…lens, ſedes, tempuſque, locuſque. Et … haec ſeptem Scriptu…e attend… Lector. V… Exp icat in Gl…ſſ. Philog S…cr. Lib. 2. P. 2. de Scriptu… ſen…u emendo pag. 503. There is no Objection can ariſe upon t e Text, but there is an Anſwer in the ſides thereo…: For example; the Papiſts urge that place o… James, 2. for juſtification by Works; whereas if we look diligently i…to the Coherence, & the ſcope ther…of, we ſhal find that the Apoſtle …peaks of the work of Fai…h in oppo…ition to the Profeſſion of Faith; for ſaies he, ver. 14. W…t wil it profit, my brethren▪ if a man ſay, he have fai h, and have …? will it ſave him? If a brother or ſiſter be naked, and in want, verſe 15. and one of you ſay, depart in peace, and be warmed and filled; if you give him not what is good for the Body, what doth it profit? Even ſo faith, if it have not works, is dead. A man may ſay, he hath Faith; but the Devils ſay, and beleeve there is one God: Was not Abraham juſtified by Works when he offered Iſaac? that Faith that juſtified Abraham, was not a bare profeſſion of Faith, but 'twas a working Faith; the profeſſion of Faith alone doth not juſtifie, but it is a Faith which conſiſts in a Work, it is a working Faith: this is the ſcope of the place then, as appears by the Coherence. If a Scripture therefore, do lie under Cont…verſie, take you the Bible, and look wel unto the Scope, and the Coherence of the Text controverted.
If you would underſtand the Scripture rightly, then compare one Scripture with another: for ſaies the Apoſtle, No Scripture is of private Interpretation; or rather thus, No Scripture is of our own Expoſition, foreign: But holy men of God wrote it as they were inſpired by the Holy Ghoſt: Is the Scripture therefore doubtful in one place? then compare it with another: ſtand not upon your own apprehen…ion; for it is n…t of our own Expoſition: it came not by the wil of man, but divers holy m…n wrote it, as they were inſpired with the Holy Ghoſt: And t…e…efore if one place be doubtful, it is to be compared with another.
And be ſure that you ſwerve not from the proportion of F…th; for ſaies the Apoſtle, Rom. 12. Or if any man propheſie, let it be according to the proportion, or analogy of Faith: And what is that, but the Sum and Grounds of Religion? or the Body of Divinity, which is delivered to us in the form of ſound words, whereunto we are delivered. Thus in caſe th… Scripture li… under any Controverſie, it wil be good for you to obſerve theſe Rul…s.
But Secondly, and more practically: If you would ſo underſtand the Scripture, that you may take heed thereunto, as to a Light ſhining in your dark ſtate: then,
Firſt: You muſt go to God for the Spirit; for without it, ye cannot underſtand the Mind of God in the Scripture:Quo ſpiritu Scripturae factae ſunt eo ſpiritu legendae, nunquam ingredieris in ſenſum Pauli, niſi ſpiritum Pauli imbiberis. Omnia dona a Deo Patre luminum. Chriſti munus eſt aperire Scripturas, Luc. 24. Spiritus ſanctus author ſimul et Explicator Scripturae. John 16. No man knows the Mind of Paul, but by the Spirit of Paul; nor the Mind of Peter, but by the Spirit of Peter; no man knows the Mind of Chriſt, but by the Spirit of Chriſt: ſtand therefore under Goſpel Diſpenſations, where the Spirit breaths. So ſaies the Apoſtle, Received ye the Spirit by the Law, or by the hea…ing of Faith? And ſeeing God hath promiſed to give this Spirit unto them that ask it, go unto God for the ſame.
Secondly: Take heed of a worldly, fleſhly mind; fleſhly ſins do exceedingly blind the mind from the things of God;Perfectio intellectualis operationis in homine conſiſtit in quadam abſtractione à ſenſibilium phantaſmatibus, et ideo quando intellectus hominis magis fuerit liber ab Eujuſmodi phantaſmat. tanto potius conſiderare intelligibilia poterit. Ergo. Hebitudo ſenſus circa intelligentiam oritur ex gula caecitas menti…ex luxuria. Aquin. 22. Q. 15. A. 3. Cum non faciunt quae intelligunt, non intelligent quae faciunt. and a worldly mind cannot ſavor them. Ye ſee how it is in the Eclipſe of the Moon, when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, then the Moon is eclipſed, becauſe the Earth keeps the light of the Sun from it. So if the Earth, and the World come between you, and the Truth, there wil be an eclipſe, and darkneſs upon al your Soul: Then ſhall ye know (ſaith our Savior) of my Doctrine, whether it be of God, if ye do what I command you. Thoſe that wil not do what they know, ſhal not know what to do.
Thirdly: Study your Condition by the Scripture, and the Scripture by your Condition; Condition gives underſtanding. In caſe you be under a Temptation,Conditio d… Intellectum. ſtudy thoſe Scriptures that do concern ſuch Temptation; if you be in an Affliction, ſtudy thoſe Scriptures that do concern ſuch Afflictions; if you be in a Deſertion, ſtudy thoſe Scrip…ures which do concern ſuch Deſertions: and whatever your Condition be, ſtudy thoſe Scriptures which do concern your Condition, and this wil help you to underſtand rhe Scriptures.
Yet Fourthly: Take heed that you be not too indulgent to your own Condition,Optimus Scripturae interpres hic eſt, qui ſenſum è Scriptura potins retulerit, quam attulerit. Hilar. Diſpoſition, or Opinion. It's a good ſpeech of Hilary; He is the beſt Interpreter of Scripture, that doth rather bring his Senſe from the Scripture, than carry his Senſe to the Scripture. We are very apt to interpret Scripture according to our own opinion, or diſpoſition. Interpretation ordinarily follows diſpoſition, or opinion: As when there was a great Controverſie in the Popiſh Church, betwixt the two Liturgies of Ambroſe and Gregory; by common conſent of both Parties, it was agreed, that both the Maſs Books ſhould be laid on the Altar, expecting the deciſion of the matter by Revelation: and the doors being opened the next morning, Gregories Maſs-Book was rent and torn in many pieces, and ſcattered abroad in the place; but Ambroſes lay whol, and open upon the Altar, which ſome thought ſignified thus much; That Gregories Maſs-Book ſhould be cancelled; others, as the Pope himſelf ſaid, nay, but this renting and ſcattering of the Leaves, ſignified the diſperſing of it over al the Chriſtian World. Thus men interpret things, according to their own Diſpoſitions and Opinions, even when they come to Scripture alſo. Would you therefore ſee cleerly into the mind of God in the Scripture? then, as when you come to Chriſt for Righteouſneſs, ye come with naked ſhoulders; ſo when you come to the Truth of Chriſt, take heed of your own Diſpoſition, and Opinion: you muſt come to Chriſt as a Prophet, as wel as to Chriſt as a Prieſt, with naked ſhoulders.
Fiftly: If you do deſire ſo to underſtand the Scripture, as it may be a Light to al your paths; then be ſure that you put nothing elſe in Commiſſion with it for your Rule. 'Tis with the Scripture in this reſpect, as with God, Chriſt, and the Spirit; If you come to God for help, yet if you joyn another God in Commiſſion with him, he wil not give down his help: ſo if you joyn any thing with Chriſt in the matter of Mediation, though you come to him, he wil not give in the comfort of his Mediation to you: ſo for the Spirit, though you come unto him for comfort, being the Comforter; yet if you joyn any thing elſe in Commiſſion with the Spirit, it wil not give down his Comfort. And ſo here; though you come, and tend, and wait upon God in the Scripture; yet if there be any thing elſe which you do make your Joynt-Rule with the Scripture, any Light within you, or Precept of Man without you, it wil not give down its Light to you, but you wil be left in the dark. Do you deſire therefore, to underſtand and know the true ſenſe and meaning of the Scripture? then take heed that you joyn no other thing in Commiſſion with it, as to the matter of your Rule. And thus I have done with the firſt thing that we muſt do in taking heed to the Scripture; we muſt take heed to know, and underſtand the ſame.
If you would ſo take heed unto the Scripture, as it may be indeed a Light unto you in a dark place, then you muſt keep it; for though the Meat be never ſo good, yet if the Stomach throw it up preſently, and do not keep it, it doth the man no good. So in regard of the Scripture: therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Heb. 2.1. We ought to take the more earneſt heed unto the things that we have heard, leſt at any time we ſhould let them ſlip, or run out: We muſt keep what we have, we muſt keep what we know, elſe we do not take heed to the Word.
Now that you may keep, and not forſake the Word,
Firſt, Obſerve what thoſe things are, whereby men have been led off, and carried away from the Scripture, and above al things take heed of them. Now thoſe are three eſpecially.
Somtimes this evil doth ariſe from the corruption of a mans Nature, boyled up to a ſecret unperceived malice againſt the Word and Scripture. As in caſe two Profeſſors be at varyance, and a third perſon ſtand by, and ſaith, Do you ſee theſe Profeſſors what proud, wrangling people theſe are, they are al ſuch; doth not this argue, that this third man hath an aking tooth at Profeſſion? So when men ſhal obſerve ſome variations in Scripture, and they ſhal ſay, do ye ſee what Contradictions there are? they are al ſo: What doth this argue, but that theſe men have an aking tooth, and ſecret malice at the good Word of God, o… the Scripture. You know how it was with Moſes, when he ſaw two men fighting, one an Egyptian, and another an Iſraelite, he killed the Egyptian; but when he ſaw two Hebrews fighting, now ſaith he, wil I go and …concile them, for they are Brethren; why ſo, but becauſe he w…s a good man, and gracious? So alſo 'tis with a gracious hea t; when he ſees the Scripture fighting with an Egyptian, an Heathen Author, or Apocryphal, he comes and kils …he Heathen, he kils the Egyptian, or the Apocripha: but when he ſees two Scriptures at varyance (in view, though in truth not) O ſaith he, theſe are Brethren, and they may be reconciled, I'le labor al I can to reconcile them: but when a man ſhal take every advantage of …eeming difference in Scripture, to ſay, Do ye ſee what Contradictions there are in this Bo…k, and not labor to reconcile them; what doth this argue, but that the corruption of a ma…s Nature, is boyled up to an unknown malice againſt the Word of the Lord: take heed therefore of that.
Somtimes this evil of denying, and forſaking the Scripture,Donatiſtae jactantes veram Eccleſi…m penes ſe ſolos eſſe qui habitabant regionem meridionalem ad id confirmandum adducebant illud Canticorum, 1. v. 6. Judica mihi (quem diligit anima mea) ubi paſc…s, ubi cubes in Meridi… ne vaga…i incipi…m poſt greges ſodalium tuorum; ſi …ta (inquit Aug. Epiſt. 48.) exponendam putatis ſacram Scripturam Aquilonares profecto Eccleſiae dicent ſe ſolas … veras, adducent enim per ſe illud Pſ. 47.3. Exult… mons Sion laetera Aquilonis civitas Regis magni, Deus in domibus ejus cognoſcitur cum ſu…cipiet eam, ergo in expoſitione Sacrarum Scripturarum ante omnia inveniendus eſt ſenſus literalis eo namque conſtituto facilis ad myſticos ſenſus patebit aditus clypeus Concionat. Verbi Dei per Ferdinand de Eſcalante Lib. 1. Cap. 17. doth ariſe from corrupt Principles, which have been bred up in the minds of men, as ſomtimes men think that the Light and Law within them, is their Rule; and therefore what need the Scripture as my Rule any longer? Somtimes men think that all Scripture is to be expounded myſtically, and ſo, firſt they make a Noſe of Wax of it; & then they caſt it away. Somtimes men think that they are to judg of Doctrines by Impreſſions, Viſions, Voyces, and Dreams, and ſo they caſt away the Scripture. Would ye therefore take heed unto the Word ſo as to keep the ſame: Take heed of this ill Principle.
Somtimes this evil doth ariſe from dallyance, and playing about the borders and confines of this ſin: 'Tis in this ſin, as with other ſins; though a man hate, and abhor Swearing, Drunkenneſs, and Adultery; yet if he lie playing and dallying upon the borders thereof, he wil ſurely fal into them. So, though I ſay, God forbid that ever I ſhould deny the Scripture, yet if I lie playing upon the confines of this ſin, I ſhal certainly fal into it. 'Tis an excellent Speech that Luther hath, Wil any man play? let him play with his Wife, play with his Children, play with his Money; but let him take heed how he plaies with the Scripture, by turning al into Myſticalneſs; for who is it that dares play with the Thunder? Why? (ſaies he) for it is the Voyce of God: So is the Scripture, it is the Voyce of God. Would ye therefore, ſo take heed unto it, as to keep it, and not deny the ſame? Then take heed of that corruption of Nature which doth boyl up to malice; take heed of evil Principles about the Rule of your life; and take heed of playing with the Scripture, and of living upon the confines of that great ſin of denying it, leſt God in juſt Judgment, give you up at laſt to the groſs evil of it.
Secondly: And for particular Truths of the Scripture, that you may keep them in your heart and judgment, Conſider,
Whether that Doctrine, which you are now about to deny, be not that Doctrine which hath ſeven times paſſed through the fire in the Sufferings of the Saints? whether it be not that Doctrine which many Saints have loſt their Eſtates, Liberties, and their Blood for? And if it be ſo, then think with your ſelf, how hard a thing it wil be for you to be ſayed, denying that Truth which ſo many have ſhed their blood for.
Conſider alſo, whether the Doctrine you are now about …o deny, be not that Doctrine which the Saints generally have maintained in oppoſition to the World? And if it be, then think with your ſelf, how hard a thing it wil be for you to be ſaved, denying that Doctrine which al the Saints generally have maintained againſt the World; but above al, take heed of an itching Ear. The Apoſtle tels Timothy, 2 Epiſt. 4.3. That the times ſhould come, wherein men will not endure ſound Doctrine, but after their own wills, ſhall heap up to themſelves, Teachers, having itching Ears, ſuch as ſhal not be contented with the ſetled Miniſtry of Gods Appointment, but ſhal after their own wils, heap up Teachers to themſelves; and this they ſhal do from the itch of the Ear: Wel, but what ſhal this itch in the Ear bring forth? verſe 4. They ſhall turn away their Ears from the Truth, and ſhall be turned unto F ables. Now therefore, that you may keep, and hold faſt the Word in the particular Doctrines, O! then take heed of this itching Ear.
Thirdly: Yet one thing more. If you would take heed to the Scripture, you muſt ſo heed the ſame, as you may walk thereby.
Therefore prize it much: Who takes heed to that which he don't prize? The Martyrs in Queen Maries daies, prized the written Word of God much: one gave a Cart-load of Hay for one Leaf of the Bible in Engliſh: another being at Sea, and ſwimming for his life on a Maſt, and having al his Eſtate (which was five pound) in one hand, and the Bible in the other, and being compelled to part with one, choſe rather for to keep the Bible, and throw away his five pound, al that he had. Theſe then did prize the written Word of God, and they did walk thereby.
Therefore alſo, get your heart affected with Love to every Truth which you know; for becauſe men receive not the Truth in the Love thereof, therefore God doth give them up to ſtrong deluſions: men take heed unto what they love.
And therefore that you may heed it ſo as to walk thereby, let it be your continual Companion, going where you go; if you go into the Fields, O! let the Word go with you; if into your Calling, O! let the Scripture, and the written Word of God be with you: Thus ſhal you take heed unto it, as to a Light ſhining in a dark place. And I pray tel me, are not theſe times, dark times? The conjunction of Clouds, and Miſeries, make dark times. Now the World is ful of Wars, and Rumors of Wars: now men ſay, lo, here is Chriſt, and lo, there is Chriſt; inſomuch as (if poſſible) the Elect would be deceived. Now ſpiritual Judgments, and outward Miſeries, are in Conjunction; a Cloud and a Cloud, a Conjunction of Clouds: ſurely therefore, theſe times muſt be dark times. The Eclipſes of the Sun and Moon, and the falling of the Stars from Heaven, make dark times: And when were there more Eclipſes, and falling of the Stars, and of great Lights from Heaven, than in theſe daies of ours? Falſe Lights alſo make dark times; for the more Falſe Lights are ſet up, the more men are drawn from the true Light, and ſo the more they are in darkneſs: And when ever were there ſo many falſe Lights hung forth, as in theſe daies of ours? Surely therefore, theſe are dark times; and if ſo, what cauſe have we al, to take heed unto the Word, which is as a Light ſhining in a dark place. What I therfore ſay to one, I ſay to you al, and to my own Soul; O! let us al take heed thereunto. And if any think, that he is not at al in the dark, he is therefore in the dark, becauſe he thinks he is not in the dark: If any think theſe things concern not him, they do therefore the more concern him than others, becauſe he thinks they concern him not. Think therefore on al theſe things, and the Lord give you a cleer underſtanding in al things.
CHRIST IN TRAVEL.
Wherein is ſhewed,
I. The Travel of Chriſt, or Chriſt in Travel.
II. His Aſſurance of Iſſue.
III. The Contentment that he doth, and ſhall find therein.
By William Bridge, Preacher of the Goſpel at Yarmouth.
LONDON: Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall, and are to be ſold at his Shop, at the ſign of the Printing-Preſs in Cornhil, neer the Royal Exchange. 1656.