The Principle of All Principles Concerning Religion, Text

The Principle of All Principles Concerning Religion · Text

p. 1THE PRINCIPLE OF ALL PRINCIPLES concerning Religion.

Act. 24.14.15.16.

14. But this I confeſſe vntounto thee, that after the way which they call hereſie, ſo worſhip I the God of my Fathers, beleeving all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets.

15. And hauehave hope towards God, which they themſelues alſo allow, that there ſhall be a reſurrection of the dead, both of the iuſt, and vniuſt.

16. And herein doe I exerciſe my ſelfe, to hauehave alwayes a Conſcience voyde of offence towards God, and toward men.

IN theſe three Verſes may be obſerved 4. grounds of Religion, whereof every one is prooved by the other three, and is of that powerfull p. 2truth, that if it be beleeved indeed, it perſwadeth the beleever to make conſcience of ſinne, therefore all are worthy of due conſideration, Viz. (1.) There is a God (by name, The God of Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob) to be worſhipped. (2.) There is a Word of God (Viz. The Bible, that is, the Booke of Bookes, conſiſting of the olde, and new Teſtament) to be beleeved. (3.) There is a Reſurrection both of iuſt, and vniuſt to be expected. And (4.) There is a Conſcience to be tendered. The firſt ground hath beene layd as ſurely as I can. For none can be religious, who doth not beleeue it. The ſecond is likewiſe to be ſurely layd. For if there be no ſuch Word, there can be no true religion, but ſuperſtition. The Samaritans aa…. 4.20.22.and Athenians bb…. 17.22.23.were ſuperſtitious, becauſe they worſhipped God not according to his Word. That therefore we may hauehave true ſpirituall comfort in our Chriſtian Religion, in which we worſhip God, let vsus be p. 3well perſwaded, that the Bible is the Word of God. That impoſter Mahomet, to make the Turkes ſuperſtitiouſly to regard his Alchoran, Compiled by himſelfe, a Iew, and a Neſtorian heretique, ſo plotted with his Complices, that having tolde the Turkes that God would ſend his vndoubted Word about a Camels necke out of the Wilderneſſe, before the Sermon was ended, a Camell came into the Church with the Alchoran about the necke. Were not the Bible the vndoubted Word of God, we Chriſtians are the moſt abſurd in our Religion of all other. For we make him a God, and our onelyonly Saviour, whom we acknowledge to hauehave beene a man, and crucified. But if it be, then may wee, with comfort, avow our Religion, againſt Iewes, Turkes, and Papiſts.

That we may be well grounded in this point, I hauehave determined to proue it not onelyonly by the other three grounds, but alſo by imitating an order p. 4of proofes which Chriſt obſerveth, Ioh. 5.31. to 39. With which I will begin as being moſt worthy in regard of the Author, and as ſhewing, that the Bible, which is the Word written, may be prooved to be the Word of God, by like Arguments as Chriſt prooveth himſelfe to be the Eternall Word … …oh. 1.1.14.made fleſh, that is, the Meſsiah. Which he prooveth by 4. teſtimonies. 1. Of Iohn Baptiſt. 2. Of his owne Workes. 3. Of his Father; And 4. Of the Scriptures. Reaſon 1 In imitatition therefore, let our firſt proofe be, The Teſtimony of the Church, which, throughout all ages, hath avowed the Bible to be the vndoubted Word of God. Now all true Chriſtians reioyce in the Church, as the Iewes did in Iohn Baptiſt. For it is The Pillar of truth ddTim. 3.15.. Not becauſe the Church ſupporteth the Scriptures, ſo as to be the Word of God, as Papists would make vsus to beleeue. Nay, The Scriptures ſupport the Church, p. 5ſo as to be the Church of God. Indeed, if there be no other vſe of a Pillar but to ſupport, then that place of 1 Tim. 3.15. might ſeeme to make for the Papiſts: but there is another vſe of a Pillar, viz. To hauehave that written, or engraven therevpon, which is to be remembred for ever. As in Rev. 3.12. Revel. 3.12.Rev 3:12Chriſt ſayth, Him that overcōmeth, I will make a Pillar in the Temple of my God. How? I will write vponupon him the Name of my God, and my new Name. Indeed, The true ſenſe of that to Timothie is this; As a Pillar doth preferue the memory of thoſe things which are written thereon; So the Church preſerveth Truth commended therevnto. This ſenſe the place it ſelfe doth intimate; For (ſaith Paul) Theſe things I write, that, if I tarry long, thou mayſt know how to behaue thy ſelfe in the houſe of God, that it being the Church of the living God (therefore ever-living) may, as a Pillar, preſerue Truth which it learneth p. 6of thee. Hence it is that Auſt in ſayth, …ntra Epiſt. …md. cap. 5.I had not beleeved the Scriptures to hauehave beene the Word, had I not beene mooued with the Churches credite. Thus was he mooved indeed, when he firſt turned from his Manichiſme: But when he was ſetled in Religion, thus he writeth to Maximinus. Contra Maxim. …ib. 3. cap. 14.Neither muſt I alledge the Councell of Nice in preiudice of the matter, nor you the Councell of Ariminum, Let matter ſtriue with matter, cauſe with cauſe, reaſon with reaſon, by authoritie of the Scriptures. And in another place. Reade this out of a Prophet, De Paſtor. cap. 14.out of a Pſalme, out of the Law, out of the Goſpel, out of an Apoſtle; Thence recite I the Church diſperſt over the whole world; and our Lord ſaying. My ſheepe heare my voyce. So that Auſtin did like the Samaritans, who, at the firſt, beleeved Chriſt to be the Meſsiah for the ſaying of the Woman, but afterward, they profeſſed. eeIoh. 4.39.42.John 4:39John 4:42Now wee beleeue, not becauſe of thy ſaying; For wee hauehave heard him our ſelues.

p. 7Reaſon. 2 Now then let vsus proceede to the ſecond Teſtimony from the proper workes of the Scriptures, which is greater then the former, as was the ſecond Teſtimony, which Chriſt pleaded. I will now take knowledge but of two proper works of the Scriptures. The former is; Though they be, for the moſt part, very ſimple, & plaine, yet (like God) they be mighty in operation. For the word of God ſimply preached is the power of God ff2 Cor. 12.9. 1 Cor. 3.4.….2 Cor 12:91 Cor 3:4. It being like fire, and an hammer, ggIer. 23.29.22.Jer 23:29Jer 23:22converteth the ſoule, hhPſal. 19.7.Ps 19:7being not carnall, caſteth downe imaginations exalted, and bringeth every thought to the obedience of Chriſt ii2 Cor. 10.4.…2 Cor 10:4. For it is the ſword of the Spirit kkEph. 6.17.Eph 6:17; becauſe the Spirit of God, being authour thereof llPet. 1.21.by it worketh mightily vponupon the ſpirit of man. Heb. 4.12. For it accompanieth the ſame, Iſa. 59.21. ſo as a man is compelled to acknowledg the power of Gods word, when it is faithfully preached, 1 Cor. 4.….

p. 8The other is, They prophecy many great things, which are accompliſhed in due time. As the bondage of Iſraell in Egypt, Ezod. 12.41. Captivity in Babilon, Ier. 29.10. The ſucceſſion of foure Monarches, Dan. 2.37. to 40. Comming of the Meſsiah, Dan 9.24.25.26. Calling of the Gentiles, Iſa. 2.2.3. And revealing of Antichriſt, 2 Theſſ. 2.7.8. that is, the Pope revealed after the removall of the Emperour from Rome. So that, as God was acknowledged ſo to be, becauſe he, by Daniel, opened ſecrets mmDan. 2.47.Dan 2:47and a Prophet is to be acknowledged ſo to be, if his Prophecy come to paſſe nnDe…t. 18.18. &c., I may conclude, that, becauſe ſo many, and great Prophecies in the Scriptures are duly fulfilled, they are therfore the vndoubted word of God

Reaſon 3 Our third Teſtimony is frō the Father that is God, Gal. 1. I who hath given teſtimony to the ſcriptures, viva voce, & by his wonderfull works. He gaue teſtimony viva voce to the old Teſtament, when he gaue the Decalogue ooDeut. 5.2…Deut 5:2. p. 9Whereof the Prophets, and the reſt of the Scriptures are explanations, ſo that as Law, and Prophets is here (per Synchdochen) put for the whole old Teſtament, ſo elſe wher is Prophets onelyonly ppActs. 26.27. Ephc. 2.20.Acts 26:27. So that, as the whole lumpe, and branches be holy, if the firſt fruites, & roote be holy qqRom. 11.16.Rom 11:16: So the teſtimony given viva voce to the Decalogue, is an authorizing of the whole olde Teſtament, God likewiſe viva voce gaue Teſtimony to the new Teſtament, when, by a voyce out of a cloud rrMat. 17.….Matt 17, he ſayd This is my beloved Sonne, in whom I am well pleaſed, heare him. Wherein ſhould we heare him? To wit, In the Goſpell, which is The word of Reconciliation ſſ2 Cor. 5.19.2 Cor 5:19by forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes, and is therefore worthily called The word of Chriſt ttColoſ. 3.16.Col 3:16, Which reconciliation is intimated in theſe words. In whom I am well pleaſed. This word of Chriſt is contayned in the new Teſtament; Therefore, by this voyce, teſtimonie p. 10is thereunto given. This inference is cōfirmed by the Apoſtle Peter uu2 Pet. 1.16.17.2 Pet 1:162 Pet 1:17. Who by this voyce, proveth, that the Apoſtles followed not deceiveable fables, but opened the power, & comming of Chriſt. God alſo gaue teſtimony therunto by wonderful works. For) if Antiquity may be beleeved xxIren. lib. 3 …ap 25.) He confirmed the old Teſtament by this miracle. Ptolomy King of Egypt, hearing the books of the Iewes highly exalted, ſet 70. learned Iewes in ſo many places, ſo as they could not conferre, to tranſlate thoſe bookes out of Hebrew into Greeke. When they had done, the 70. tranſlations ſo agreed word for word, as if all had conferred, & agreed vponupon one tranſlation. The number of the bookes being thirtie nine, The puacitie, and ambiguity of Hebrew wordes, and experience of diverſity in tranſlating farre more intelligible languages, cō ſidered, this is a great miracle. Touching the new Teſtament, the Text p. 11ſayth plainly that yyMark 16.2…Mark 16:2the Apoſtles preached every where; And the Lord cō firmed the word with ſignes that followed: therefore God gaue teſtimonie to the new Teſtament by wonderfull workes. Here Papiſts may be anſwered, who require vsus to ſhew by what miracles, we confirme our new Goſpell, I anſwere; Indeede, if the Goſpell, which we preach, were new, as they (like Iewes zzMark 1.27.Mark 1:27) doe terme it, then it is to be confirmed with new miracles, or not to be received: But being the ſame which Chriſt, & his Apoſtles preached, it is ſo ſufficiently confirmed by the miracles which Chriſt, & his Apoſtles wrought, that wee, with Auſtin aaAug de Civi…. Dei. l. 22.call him a wonder of men who now requireth miracles to that ende.

God gaue teſtimony both to the old, and new Teſtament by preſerving them miraculouſly. Touching the former it is to be conſidered, that Iſraell was for a long ſeaſon, without p. 12the true God, without Prieſt to teach and without Law bbChro. 15.3.Is it not a ſpeciall worke of God, that the Scriptures then being were preſerved, and that in purity? And the rather, if we conſider how deſpitefully Iehoiakim, cut and burnt Ieremies roule, Ier. 36.23. It is yet more remarkeable that the people of God were captiues. 70. yeares in Babylon ccIere: 29.10. and 27.22., whether alſo the holy veſſels were carried. How were the Scriptures preſerved al this while otherwiſe than by the wonderfull providence of God? But it is moſt admirable, that Ieruſalem, and the Temple were twice deſtroyed, once by Nebuchadnezzars ſervant dd2 King 25.2 Kgs 25, and againe after Chriſt his aſcenſion, eeLuke 19.41 to 44Luke 19:41–44and yet the holy Books kept in the Temple are preſerved. Touching the latter; It is not vnknown, that in the firſt ages of the Church **Acts & Mo…ments, p. 30.there were grievous perſecutions for three hundred yeares, by ten Tyrannicall Heathen Emperours of Rome, whereof (it may p. 13be) Chriſt prophecyed, when he told the Churches they ſhould hauehave tribulation ffRevel. 2.…Rev 2ten dayes, or times. How were the Scriptures preſerved all this terrible time, other-wiſe than by the wonderfull providence of God? Againe; Since thoſe ten perſecutions, Antichriſt the Pope hath exerciſed his tyranny over the Churches for the ſpace of about. 900. yeares. VnderUnder a type of a King, Daniel ggDan. 11.31.36.37.Dan 11:31Dan 11:36Dan 11:37prophecyeth of him, which is to be conſidered. For it is ſayd; His heart ſhall be againſt the holy Covenant; So the Popes heart is againſt the new Teſtament in Chriſt his bloud, to eſtabliſh his merits by workes. It is alſo ſayd, On that King's part armes ſhall ſtand, as now they doe on the Popes part; and they ſhall pollute the Sanctuary, and ſet vp the abhominable deſolation: So doth the Pope, pollute the Churches, and ſetteth vp his abhominable Maſſe. That King, Did what he listed, cared not for any God, but p. 14magnified himſelfe aboue all. Doth not the Pope all this? Laſtly; That King, In place of the God of his Fathers, honoured the God, Mauzzim: Doth not the Pope honour in the Maſſe a God of bread in place of the true God? But what may induce vsus to ſuppoſe that King to be a type of the Pope? Beſides the many agreements noted, It is to be obſerved, that howſoever all things, written of that King were true according to the letter: yet Chriſt ſayth hhMat. 24.15.Matt 24:15When yee ſee the abhomination of deſolation ſpoken of by Daniell, ſtand in the holy places &c, Whereby hee applieth this Prophecy to the deſtruction of Ieruſalem, and the Temple by the Romane Emperour, as doth more plainly appeare in Luke 21.20. conferred with Dan. 9.26.27. Divines, not without Analogy, apply this prophecy to the Maſſe, that abhomination (indeede) of Deſolation. Againe, It is to be obſerved, that the Roman Emperour was the firſt beaſt p. 15ii…evel. 13.1. … 7.11.12.that the Pope is another beaſt, which doth all that the firſt beaſt did; And that the Church of Chriſt is the Houſe of God, kk1 Tim. 3.1 Tim 3as was the Temple. So then, as the Romane Emperour deſtroyed the Temple, ſo the Pope hath perſecuted, and ſtil perſecuteth the true Church of Chriſt. How did the new Teſtament, ſo oppoſite to Popery, eſcape ſo long a rage, and reigne? This is the more ſtrange theſe things conſidered. The old Teſtament in Hebrew, and the new Teſtament in Greeke, were ſtrangers in Iſrael ever ſince the Pope was, before the Goſpell was renewed. The Pope will not ſuffer the Scriptures to bee read to the people in their mother tongue, & the ſecond Commaundement condemning the worſhipping of Images is in popiſh Catechiſmes thruſt out of the Decalogue. So that I may conclude that as Nebuchadnezzar llDan. 3.…Dan 3acknowledged Shadrach, Meſhach, and Abednego to hauehave beene the ſervants p. 16of God, becauſe they eſcaped the fiery furnace: ſo God giveth a remarkeable teſtimony to the Scriptures, that they bee his vndoubted word, by his ſo wonderfull preſervation.

Now it is time to proceede to the teſtimony of Scriptures. Reaſon 4 But firſt I will anſwer this queſtion. Is the teſtimony which the Scriptures giuegive to themſelues of ſufficient credit? Yes; For the ſame reaſons, wherewith Chriſt mm…ohn 1.13.14.17.18.iuſtified the record which he bare of himſelfe. (1) We know from whence the Scriptures came, even frō Gods ſpirit nnPet. 1.20.21.(2) The Father (as we hauehave proved) is a witneſſe, therefore the teſtimony of two is true, and conſequētly of credit. Now Chriſt ſaith oo…hn 5.39.The Scriptures, (that is the old Testament, which were before Chriſt) teſtifie of me. If of Chriſt, then of his Word, that is, his Goſpell. For the woman of Samaria could tell pp…hn 4.25.that the Meſsiah, that is, Chriſt, when he p. 17came ſhould tell vsus all things. It may be ſhe had heard, that Moſes prophecyed of Chriſt, who was to be heard in all things qqActs 7.…Acts 7Beſides, Chriſt is the corner ſtone of the foundation, (that is, doctrine) as of the Apoſtles, ſo of the Prophets. Therefore the Prophets giuegive teſtimony to Chriſt, and his word. As Moſes and the Prophets (that is, the old Teſtament) giuegive teſtimony to Chriſt, and his word, which is the doctrine of the new Teſtament: So Chriſt in thoſe words, Iohn 5.39. doth giuegive an honourable teſtimony to the old Teſtament, ſaying, In them ye thinke to hauehave eternall life. And two of the chiefe Apoſtles giuegive likewiſe teſtimony to the old Teſtament. For Peter ſayth rr2 Pet. 1.…2 Pet 1Wee hauehave a most ſure word of the Prophets. Here Prophets (as Eph: 2.20. is put for the whole old Teſtament. And Paul ſayth ſſ2 Tim. 3…2 Tim 3The whole Scripture is given by inſpiration. Whereby the old Teſtament, without doubt, is p. 18ſignified, & the new Teſtament may be vnderſtood.

Having finiſhed this courſe of Teſtimonies to the word by way of imitation as well as I can, I am now to ſhew how the other three grounds doe proue this. …aſon 5.The firſt is, There is a God to be worſhipped, therefore there is a word of God to be beleeved. There be many Gods, ſo called ttCor. 8.5.Every one hath his preſcribed worſhip, whereby he is honoured according to his owne minde, as Saturne had his Saturnalia, and drunken Bacchus his Bacchanalia. Yea, the Scriptures intimate as much, uu…cts 7.43.Moloch had his tabernacle, and Remphan his Starre. So that the true God forbiddeth his people xx…eut. 12.30to enquire how other Nations ſerue their Gods. Now can we think that our great, and onelyonly true God is leſſe zealous of his glory, then falſe Gods be of their ſuppoſed honour? Heathen men concluded otherwiſe, For when they heard that the Samaritans p. 19were devoured by Lyons, they deemed the cauſe was, Not worſhipping the God of the Land after his owne manner yy2 King. 17.25.26.2 Kgs 17:252 Kgs 17:26. God hath made all things for his owne ſake, yea even the wicked for the day of evill zzProv. 16.Prov 16, that he may be glorified, as by all things made, ſo by the luſt condemnatiō of the wicked. Therefore he hath given a Word, that by holy Worſhip, according to it, he may be glorified. For by ſuch worſhip eſpecially is He glorified aaLevn. 10.2.3., and therefore the Glory departed from Iſrael, when the Arke, before which Iſrael worſhipped, was taken by the Philiſtims bb1 Sam. 4.… Exod. 33.1 Sam 4Exod 33: So that God did iuſtly forſake the Gentiles, becauſe, when they knew him by his Workes of Creation ccRom. 1. &c.Rom 1, they did not glorifie him as God, by worſhipping him according to his will. That this conſequence may yet better appeare to be good, it is to be duely obſerved, that immediately after God, in the Decalogue ddExod. 20.3…Exod 20:3, required Worſhip as due to p. 20him onelyonly, he commandeth that worſhip to be according to his word, and not by mans inventions: And that, where God forbiddeth to inquire how other Nations ſerue their Gods, eeDeut. 12.30.32.Deut 12:30Deut 12:32he commandeth to take heed to his Word. And laſtly, that when God commanded his people to ſanctifie him, he preſently commanded to binde vp the Teſtimony ffIſa. 8.13.16.Isa 8:13Isa 8:16, and to ſeale vp the Law among his Diſciples. For (indeed) no Booke doth ſo glorifie God, as doth the Bible, therefore it is the true Word of God ggIoh. 7.18.John 7:18. All that is ſaid, being well conſidered, this conſequence is good. There is a God, to wit, Iehovah, therefore there is a Word of God, viz: The olde and new Teſtament.

The other ground, Reaſon 6 and conſequence is this. There is a Reſurrection of the iuſt, and vniuſt to be expected, therefore there is a Word of God, that is, the Scriptures, to be beleeved. For howſoever Cicero held the Immortalitie p. 21of the ſoule; yet the Athenian Philoſophers deemed the reſurrection of the bodie to be an vnheard of point hhAct. 17.1….32.Acts 17:1Acts 17:32. For, indeed, it is an Article of Chriſtian faith, and not a Tenet of naturall reaſon. So that the Sadduces (though Iewes) reiected it iiMat. 22.33.Matt 22:33. Therfore if it be an Article of Faith, then the Scriptures, being the only booke, that doth clearely avouch, and proue it, muſt needs be the word of Faith. Againe; Why muſt there be a Reſurrection? That the iuſt may ariſe vntounto life, and the vniuſt vntounto condemnation kkIoh. 5.29.John 5:29. For the laſt day is, The day of the generall declaration of the iuſt iudgement of God llRom. 2.5. Dan. 12.2….Rom 2:5Dan 12:2. Now that God may appeare iuſt when he iudgeth, it is requiſite, that he make his Will knowne by his Word; For where no Law is, there is no tranſgreſſion mmRom. 4.15Rom 4:15. Therefore ſaith Chriſt, If I had not come, and ſpoken to them, they ſhould not hauehave had ſinne nnIoh. 15.22.John 15:22: but now they hauehave no cloake for ſinne. The Gentiles p. 22had not the Law ooRom. 2.12.14.15.Rom 2:12Rom 2:14Rom 2:15, how can they be iudged? Yes, becauſe they hauehave the effect of the Law written in their hearts.

The third ground, Reaſon 7 and conſequence is this. There is a Conſcience to be tendered, therefore there is a Word of God to be beleeved. For the Spirit of God, which ſpeaketh in the Scriptures, ſo inlightneth the mindes of Gods people, that the Word worketh vponupon their Conſciences. That as face anſwereth face in Water ppProv. 27.19.Prov 27:19. So where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is ſuch libertie qqCor. 3.17., that is, Freedome from the vaile over our hearts, that we behold, as in a glaſſe, the glory of the LORD with open face, and are changed into the ſame image. So that the Apoſtle doth preſently affirme, rrAnd 4.1.2.That having this Miniſtry, he did not handle the Word deceitfully, but in declaration of the truth, he approoved himſelfe to every mans Conſcience. In another place, ſſ… T…eſ. 4.8.he thus writeth, He that p. 23deſpiſeth theſe things, deſpiſeth not man but God, who hath even given you his holy Spirit. Which is as if he ſhould ſay, The Spirit of God, in your reading, cannot but acknowledg the ſame Spirit in me writing, therefore take heede how yee deſpiſe thoſe things. It may be obſerued, that the more godly any is, the more readily doth his Conſcience reflect vponupon the Word. Which is intimated by the Apoſtle, ſaying, tt1 Cor. 2.6.1 Cor 2:6I ſpeake Wiſedome among them that are perfect. Nay; the Conſciences of them, who are not perfect, are mooved by the Word. The vnlearned man, the ſecrets of whoſe heart are made manifeſt by Prophecy uu1 Cor 14.24.25.1 Cor 14:241 Cor 14:25, (that is, powerfull Preaching the Word) is compelled, in Conſcience, to ſay, God is in the Preacher indeede: And Agrippa was by Pauls Preaching, (though he a priſoner) compelled, in conſcience, to ſay xxActs. 16.27.28.Acts 16:27Acts 16:28; Almoſt thou perſwadeſt me to become a Chriſtian. So that the conſcience p. 24giueth an evident teſtimony to the Word of God. All then duely conſidered, we may collect, and conclude, &c.

Firſt, if the Church of God, throughout all ages, hauehave avouched the olde, and new Teſtament to be the Word of God. Secondly, if, howſoever the Scriptures be for the moſt part, ſimple, and plaine, yet, Gods Spirit working by them, they be mightie in operation. Thirdly, if the Scriptures conteine many Prophecies of great things, which accordingly came to paſſe in due time. Fourthly, if God gaue teſtimony to the olde, and new Teſtament, by a voyce from heaven. Fiftly, if he confirmed them by miracles. Sixtly, if he hauehave wonderfully preſerved them vntounto this time. Seventhly, if the olde Teſtament giuegive teſtimony to the new, and the new to the olde; as Moſes to Chriſt, and Chriſt to Moſes. Eightly, if it follow, that, If there be a God to be worſhipped, viz. p. 25The God of Iſrael, there muſt needes be a Word, viz: the Scriptures, that according to them he may be worſhipped. Ninthly, if it be a good conſequence, A Reſurrection of the iuſt, and vniuſt is to be expected, therefore there is a Word of God, viz. the Scriptures, that God may appeare iuſt, when he iudgeth in the laſt day; And tenthly, if this be a ſound Enthymeme, There is a Conſcience, therfore the Scriptures be the Word of God; Becauſe the Conſcience, both of perfect Chriſtians, and other, doth giuegive an evident teſtimony to them; then, There is a Word of God, viz. the olde, and new Teſtament, to be beleeved.

Here (perhaps) ſome would expect a reſolution of the queſtion betweene the Papiſts, and vsus, touching the Apocryphall Writings, viz. Eſdras, Tobit, &c. Whether they be parts of the Canonicall Scriptures, or no. I told you, when I firſt entred vponupon this Text, p. 26that it offereth iuſt occaſion of diſcuſſing many points of Religion, fitter for the Schooles, than for this Auditory: Yet becauſe many take occaſion to deeme thoſe Writings to be Canonicall, becauſe they are ordinarily bound in the midſt of them, (notwithſtanding the wall of ſeparation, prudently and providently ſet, by Authoritie, betweene the Bookes of the olde Teſtament, and them, I meane, the title [Apocrypha] with a declaration of the meaning therof, I will ſhew you my iudgment in a few words. I deeme them, or moſt of them, Writings worthy of reverend eſtimation for their antiquitie, and many things worthy diligent reading: But I deny them to be Canonicall, that is, the wordes of God, or Rules, whereby our Faith is to be ſquared. For we are to be builded onelyonly vponupon the foundation of the Apoſtles, and Prophets, Chriſt himſelfe being the corner ſtone yyEpheſ. 2.20.Eph 2:20. For reverence p. 27to thoſe Writings, and for my words ſake, I forbeare to note obliquities in them, ſuch as are ſufficient to demonſtrate that they be not endited by the Spirit of God. I therefore deſire you to conſider but this one Argument. If they be parts of Canonicall Scriptures, they are parts either of the olde, or of the new Teſtament: But they are parts of neither; Therefore they are no parts of the Canonicall Scriptures. I never heard that any Papiſt affirmed them to be parts of the new Teſtament. And (indeed) their antiquitie, and contents doe manifeſt that they were written before any part of the new Teſtament was written. To prooue that they be not parts of the olde Teſtament, I will not vrge a reaſon of Hierom zzIn Prolog… Galeato., viz: They are not in the Regiſter of divine Bookes, which the Iewes preſerved: but deſire this to be cōſidered, that they be in Greeke, whereas all the Bookes of the olde p. 28Teſtament be in Hebrew. So (without doubt) had theſe beene likewiſe, had they beene written by inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt. For the Oracles of God, the giving of the Law, the ſervice of God, and the promiſes pertained to the Iſraelites aa….. If theſe were amongſt them, ſhould they not hauehave beene in the ſame Language? Againe; The Law, and the Prophets were read in the Synagogues of the Iewes bb… …1.…7.. If theſe Writings were amongſt them, ſhould not they alſo hauehave beene read? But ſurely Popery had not then prevailed, to perſwade the Scriptures to be read in a ſtrange language to the people aſſembled on the Sabbath day. Therefore I may conclude, that the Apocryphall Writings are no parts of the Canonicall Scriptures.

Now am I to proceede on to Vſes to be builded vponupon this ground of Religion. There is a Word of God, viz: The Bible, conſiſting of the olde p. 29and new Teſtament, to be beleeved. If this be true indeed, then the holy Scriptures are to be highly eſteemed, as the vndoubted Word of God. For, as when we know God, if we doe not glorifie him as God ccRom. 1.2…Rom 1:2, he will not be better pleaſed with vsus, than he was with the Gentiles: ſo if we acknowledge the truth of this Doctrine, and doe not eſteeme the Word as the Word of God, wee ſhall be iudged as deſpiſers of it. For not to regard, as we ſhould, is to deſpiſe. As Timothy had beene deſpiſed dd1 Cor. 1….10.11.1 Cor 1:101 Cor 1:11, if (notwithſtanding his youth) the Corinthians had not convoyed him on his Iourney towards Paul, ſeeing he wrought the worke of the Lord, as Paul did. And Chriſt maketh not hearing, and deſpiſing the Word Preached by the ſeventie eeLuk. 10.16.11.Luke 10:16Luke 10:11to be aequivalent. How indignely this deſpiſing is taken, ſhaking of duſt, and leſſening of the iudgments of Tyrus, and Sidon, in compariſon doe demonſtrate. Therefore let p. 30vsus imitate David, who eſteemed the Word better than Gold, yea than much fine Gold ff…al. 19.10.; and the Merchant, who ſolde all he had to buy a Pearle of price gg…at. 13.45.…6.. And let vsus deſerue the commendations which Paul giveth to the Theſſalonians hhTheſ. 2.13., for receiving the Word, not as the Word of men, but as the Word of God. Suppoſe a true religious man had the onelyonly Bible in the world, would he part with it, thinke yee, for the richeſt Iewel in the World? If a Booke being the Workmanſhip of a man be worthily ſo to be eſteemed for the Contents ſake, how highly are we to eſteeme the doctrine of the Bible, being the Word of God? But how are we to manifeſt our high eſtimation of the Word of God? Not chiefely by binding the Bible faire, though that ſheweth ſome good reſpect thereof: Nor by ſetting it handſomely in the Window, or ſome eminent place, and never, or ſeldome reade therein: But p. 31by hearing, beleeving, and obeying it as the Word of God.

In ſuch hearing, Vſe 2 two things are required, Readie diligence, and Religious reverence. Touching the former it is Prophecied; That in the laſt dayes, Chriſt his people ſhall come willingly at the time of Aſſembly, as an Army in holy beautie iiPſal. 110…Ps 110: and, That many people ſhall flow to the houſe of the Lord kkIſa. 2.2.Isa 2:2, inciting one another. And why? Becauſe the Word of the Lord goeth from Ieruſalem. This is to ſeeke after the knowledge of Gods will in his Word, as for treaſure llProv. 2.Prov 2. According to thoſe Prophecies. The Kingdome of God was Preached, and every man preſſed vntounto it mmLuk. 16.Luke 16after the comming of Iohn Baptiſt. The Apoſtles would not goe from Chriſt nnIoh. 6.67.68.John 6:67John 6:68, (as ſome Diſciples did) becauſe He had the words of eternall life. And Cornelius a Captaine, when he heard that Peter ſhould tell him what he ought to doe, ſent immediately for p. 32him, and having called together his kinſmen, and ſpeciall friends, waited for him oo…ct. 10.5.6.7 …4.33., and were ready to heare whatſoever he ſhould ſay from God. Hereby are condemned ſuch as hauehave ſmall zeale in repairing to the Word, but abſent themſelues vponupon ſmall occaſions, as prooving of Oxen pp…uk. 14.19.…1., with whom God is angry. Such as remember not the Sabbath day, ſo as to diſpoſe of their buſineſſe, that they may be ready in due time to attend the Word. They will remember, and pleade, that it is a day of reſt, & ſleepe the longer that day: But they forget that the reſt muſt be holy to the Lord qq…od. 31.15.. Yea ſuch are hereby condemned, who though they ſeeme to hauehave ſome mind to heare the Word Preached, and therefore caſt to come to that betime, yet are not diligent to come to heare the Word read. As if the Word read be not to be regarded as the Word of God, and, As if it be not neceſſary that Gods people p. 33ſhould know, in ſome meaſure, the letter, and body of the Scriptures; Wherevnto they cannot attaine by hearing onelyonly thoſe ſmall Texts wherevpon Preachers Diſcourſe. Therefore Chriſtian Churches hauehave well imitated the auncient people of God rrAct. 13.1. & 15.21…Acts 13:1Acts 15:21, in appointing the Scriptures to be read in the great Congregations, eſpecially on the Lords day, ſo as the body thereof may be read over againe, and againe in time. Wherevnto if the people doe not diligently reſort, eſpecially ſuch as want learning, leiſure, or Bibles to reade, doe they eſteeme the Word read as the Word of God?

Vſe 3 A ſecond thing required in hearing the word, as the word of God, is religious reverence. When we pray we ſpeake to God, & then we kneele ſſPſal. 95…Ps 95, or ſhould doe: when the word is read, or preached, God ſpeaketh to vsus, and ſhall we not heare him with religious reverence? We heare the p. 34Iudge giving a charge in the Aſſiſes, with vncovered heads, and all civill reverence, and ſhall not our demeanure be religiouſly reverent, when God ſpeaketh vntounto vsus in his word? Moſes was to put off his ſhooes becauſe of the preſence of God ſpeaking out of a burning buſh: tt…od. 3.4.5.9.10.11.17.And the people were to be ſanctified when they were to meete with God ſpeaking the tenne Commaundements. When we heare the word preached wee are in Gods ſpeciall preſence, therefore wee are exhorted by the Spirit uu…cleſ. 5.1.to looke to our feete before we enter into the houſe of God, and bee more ready to heare, than to offer the ſacrifice of fooles. And Chriſt ſtood when he read his text xx…ke 4.16.20.: but he ſat after, when he preached. All this doth ſhew, that the word is to be heard with religious reverence. Yea there be ſome learned Divines, who hold that men ought to be vncovered, that is, put off their hatts the whole Sermon p. 35while. But for my part, I dare not preciſely binde the conſcience of any man to this, or that particular demonſtration of religious reverence. Though I graunt that a Sermon is to be heard with religious reverence as well as the word read: For Miniſters of the Goſpell are the meſſengers of God (as were the Prieſts of the Law zzMal. 2.7. 2 Cor. 5.… 1 Cor. 4. …Mal 2:72 Cor 51 Cor 4) and it is to be preſumed, that their lips alſo preſerue knowledge, therefore people muſt, with religious reverence, hearken to the word from their mouth. Heereby are condemned ſuch as come to Wiſedomes feaſt aaProu 9.3.Prov 9:3without a wedding garment bbMath. 22.Matt 22, that is, due preparation and fitneſſe. As alſo ſuch as ſleepe, talke, gaze about, or otherwiſe hauehave their minds drawne from hearing the word. Is this to hauehave either their eyes faſtned ccLuke 4.2…Luke 4:2vponupon the Preacher, or to hauehave hearts opened by the Lord ddActs 16. …Acts 16to hearken to his word?

Ʋſe 4 It is not a ſufficient eſtimation of p. 36the Word to repaire therevnto with diligence, and to heare it with reverence, except we beleeue it as the Word of God. For if the Word be not mixed with Faith in thoſe that heare it eeHebr. 4.2.Heb 4:2, it will not profit them vntounto either reformation, aedification, or conſolation, which are the effects of Prophecy ff1 Cor. 14.3.24.25.1 Cor 14:31 Cor 14:241 Cor 14:25, that is, of powerfull Preaching. Againe; He, who beleeveth the Word ſo as to receiue ggIoh. 1.12.John 1:12, that is, to beleeue the teſtimony thereof, doth ſeale that God is true hh… & 3.33.34.: But God is true (I may adde, Abſolutely) and to be iuſtified in his wordes iiRom. 3.4.Rom 3:4; I may adde, becauſe they be abſolutely true as God is. Therfore they are to be heard with Faith, reſting vponupon them abſolutely without all doubting of their truth. For the Word of God is called the Faith of God kkRom. 3.3.Rom 3:3: Which intimateth, that if we beleeue Faith to be in God, we muſt beleeue his Word accordingly. This is a maine difference betweene the Word of God (which is p. 37to be heard with Faith howſoever it croſſe our iudgement; for Faith ſurmounteth Reaſon) and the Word of man, which is no further to be beleeved, than it agreeth with the Word, which is, Truth it ſelfe llIoh. 17.1…John 17:1: For every man is by nature, a Lyar mmRom. 3.…Rom 3, and therefore is not to be iuſtified in all his wordes. So that, Gods people may lawfully (ſo it be with Diſcretion, and Humilitie) examine the Doctrine, by what Preacher ſoever delivered, whether it be warranted by the Scriptures, or no, if the truth thereof be not evident to them, as did the nobly-minded Beraeans nnActs. 17.1….11.Acts 17:1Acts 17:11. But if the truth of the Word be delivered to their Conſciences, then muſt they beleeue it without any demurring. So the Apoſtles beleeved that Chriſt his fleſh is meat indeed, and his bloud drinke indeed ooIoh. 6.55.….61.66.67.6…John 6:55John 6:61John 6:66John 6:67John 6:6, and followed him without any offence, becauſe he had the words of eternall life, whereas other ſeeming Diſciples were offended, p. 38and gaue over following Chriſt, becauſe it ſeemed to their naturall reaſon to be an hard ſaying. So Abraham pp…om. 4.18.19.20.21.aboue hope, in regard of his olde age, and his wife's barrenneſſe, but vnderunder hope in regard of Gods power, beleeved the Word of God, promiſing to make him a Father of many Nations. So Hezekiah qq…ſa. 39.5.6.….8.(though a King) was not angry with the Prophet, prophecying moſt grievous things to him, but beleeved his Prophecy (ſo croſſing natural affections) as the VVord of God, and ſayd, The Word of the Lord is good. Here I ſuppoſe, it will be ſome comfort to know how yee may iudge of your ſelues in the time of hearing, whether the VVord be mixed with faith; I'le ſhew you. If your hearts anſwer Gods VVord, as did Davids, when God ſayd rrPſal. 27.8.Ps 27:8, Seeke yee my face, his heart anſwered, O Lord, I will ſeeke thy face. For Faith is ſuch an aſſent to every VVord of God, as produceth affections, p. 39and actions anſwerable to the VVord, wherevnto the heart aſſenteth. So that when Iohn Baptiſt Preacheth Repentance ſſMath. 11.1.16.17.18.1….Matt 11:1Matt 11:16Matt 11:17Matt 11:18, we grieue in the ſenſe of ſinne: and when Chriſt Preacheth the Goſpell, we are comforted in hope of forgiuenenſſe.

Hereby are condemned ſuch as are like thoſe proud men ttIere. 43.2.Jer 43:2, who tolde Ieremy, that he ſpake falſely when he delivered the Word of God which croſſed their purpoſes. Secondly, Such as be like the Prince uu2 King. 7.1.2.17.2 Kgs 7:12 Kgs 7:22 Kgs 7:17, who contraried the Word of God touching ſuddaine cheapneſſe of Corne, becauſe it was contrary to his ſenſuall reaſon: But the Word was fulfilled, and he periſhed. And thirdly, Mockers xx2 Pet. 3.3.4.2 Pet 3:32 Pet 3:4, which, in theſe laſt dayes, will walke after their luſts, not beleeving the promiſe of Chriſt his comming to iudgement, becauſe it is deferred. Yea, fourthly, thoſe weake ones, who are like to David yyPſal. 116.11.Ps 116:11, who ſayd in his feare, All men be lyars, meaning eſpecially p. 40Samuel, who annointed him to be King zzSam. 16.13: But before he got the Crowne, Saul ſo perſecuted him, that he doubted of the word which Samuel had ſpoken. Fiftly, Much more are they hereby condemned, who, out of an humour troubled by the Word, doe cavill againſt it, contrary to the Apoſtle Iames his exhortation, aaTam. 1.21.19That we ſhould receiue the Word with meekneſſe, and therefore ſhould be ſwift to heare ſlow to ſpeake, & ſlow to wrath. For Wrath, becauſe the VVord croſſeth our mind, ſtirreth vp the tongue vntounto gain-ſaying, and therefore the VVord is not beleeved as the Word of God. Sixtly, Hereby are condemned ſuch as deſpayre in the time of affliction, and doe not liue by Faith bbHab. 2.3.4.Hab 2:3Hab 2:4, waiting for the appointed time when the viſion will ſpeake comfort. And ſeaventhly, ſuch as like the Elders of Iſrael ccEzek. 14.1.3.Ezek 14:1Ezek 14:3, ſet vp Idols in their hearts, which are ſtumbling blockes of iniquitie, ſtopping the way betweene p. 41the VVord, and Faith, ſo as they cannot be mixed in them that heare, I meane thoſe who heare the Word with preiudicate opinions, Papiſts or other, who will ſtop their eares, and not heare the Word, ſo as to beleeue it as the Word of God, charme the charmer never ſo wiſely ddPſal. 58.5.Ps 58:5.

Vſe 5 The third thing required to manifeſt our high eſtimation of the Word, is, To obey it as the Word of God. For to heare the Word, and not to obey it, is deemed by God a caſting it away ee1 Sam. 15.22.23.1 Sam 15:221 Sam 15:23. Therefore wee deceiue our ſelues, though we be hearers, if we be not doers alſo of the Word ffIam. 1.22.Jas 1:22: But what is required of vsus that we may obey the Word as the Word of God? I anſwere, many things. Among the reſt eſpecially, Abſolute obedience to whatſoever the Word commandeth, without making any queſtion, or difficultie. For God is of abſolute authoritie, and therfore we pray, ggMath. 6.10.Matt 6:10Thy will be done on earth, as it is in p. 42heaven: and, His Word is perfect, and right hhPſal. 19.7.8.Ps 19:7Ps 19:8, Therefore our abſolute obedience is not blinde, as is the obedience of Ieſuites to their ſuperiours, whom they muſt obey, though they command the killing of Princes, not inquiring after the lawfulneſſe of ſuch a Commandement: But their ſuperſtitious, and blinde obedience condemneth vsus, if we yeeld not abſolute obedience to the Word of God, which is of abſolute authoritie, and altogether without errour. So be not the Commandements of the Pope, or of any humane Superiour whomſoever Let vsus conſider ſome few examples of obedience to the Word, as to the Word of God. That vnmatchable example of Abraham, may well be Inſtar omnium, who obeying the Word of God, ſpared not Iſaac his onelyonly ſonne iiGen. 22.1.2.….9.10.16.Gen 22:1Gen 22:2Gen 22:9Gen 22:10Gen 22:16, begotten in his olde age kkAnd 21.2., and in both theſe reſpects dearely beloved; Yea, the Sonne of Promiſe llGal. 4.28.Gal 4:28; with whom, p. 43and his ſeede, God promiſed to eſtabliſh an everlaſting Covenant mmGen. 17.19.Gen 17:19: But without pleading any of theſe things nnZach. 12.Zech 12, aroſe early to goe to ſacrifice him, with his owne handes. Now wheras Abraham is the Father of all ooRom. 4.1Rom 4:1, who walke in the ſteps of his Faith, I will tell you one other example of his obedience to the Word of God, which is remarkeable too, the rather becauſe the Spirit of God taketh ſpeciall notice thereof ppHeb. 11.Heb 11, ſhewing vsus that Abraham obeyed God commanding him to goe he knew not whither. VVhichWhich laſt words imply, that he obeyed readily without queſtioning whether dangers were in the way, and what commodious dwelling was in the place wherevnto he ſhould goe; therefore it is ſaid, that by Faith he obeyed. So alſo it is written in the ſame Chapter, Verſe 17. that Abraham offered vp Iſaac by Faith. Whereby the Spirit of God intimateth, that in both theſe obediences, Abraham p. 44eſteemed the Commandements, as the words of God. I ſhall expreſſe this point yet more plainely by an example of Peters walking vponupon the Sea at Chriſt his bidding qq…at. 14.34.….36.37.…8.39.. But note, that Peter perceiving that it was Chriſt, and not a Spirit, as he, and his fellowes feared, who walked on the Sea in the night, ſayd, Maſter, if it be thou, bid me come vntounto thee on the water. Which ſheweth how highly he eſteemed of Chriſt his Word, perſwaded that obeying it he ſhould neither tempt God rr… 4.5.6.7., nor periſh by going on the water. I will adde but another example, wherein yee may ſee both the Wiſdome of the fleſh, and obedience of Faith. Naaman was directed ſſKing. 5.10 12.13.14.by a meſſenger from Eliſha, to waſh himſelfe in Iordan for cure of his leproſie; He went away murmuring; But perſwaded by his ſervants to hauehave due regard of the Prophets word, he obeyed, and was cured.

p. 45Hereby are condemned (1) rebellious hearers of the word, who ſay, The word which thou haſt ſpoken vntounto vsus in the name of the Lord, wee will not heare ttIer. 44.16.Jer 44:16: but we will doe what we thinke good, and as our Princes, and Fathers before vsus hauehave done. (2) Preſumptuous hearers, who bleſſe themſelues in their hearts uuDeut. 29.1….2…Deut 29:1Deut 29:2, when they heare iudgements out of the word againſt their ſinnes, and ſo adde drunkenneſſe to thirſt: but God will not be mercifull to ſuch. (3) Hypocriticall hearers, who call one vponupon another xxEzek. 33.30.31.Ezek 33:30Ezek 33:31to heare the word, and ſit before the Preacher, as reverently as others, but they make a ieſt of it, and will not obey it. And (4) ſuch as pretend obedience to the word out of a ſudden flaſh of zeale, like the young man yyMark. 10.17.21.22.Mark 10:17Mark 10:21Mark 10:22who came running, and kneeling to Chriſt, to know what he might doe for eternall life: But when Chriſt bad him ſell, and giuegive all to the poore, and follow him, hee went p. 46away ſorrowfull; for he was rich: So, many, when the word reprooveth them for drunkenneſſe, are grieved for the preſent, confeſſe it is their ſinne, and wiſh they could leaue it, but they doe not.

I hauehave told you of ſome to be condemned for not beleeving, and of others, for not obeying the word as the word of God; Now I muſt tell you of the Antichriſtian Synagogue of Rome, which ſhamefully offendeth in both thoſe reſpects, in taking the ſecond Commaundement out of the Decalogue, as hath beene ſaid, contrary to the expreſſe word of God; who giveth this peremptorie charge aaDeut. 12.32.Deut 12:32, Whatſoever I commaund you, take heede you doe it. Thou ſhalt put nothing thereto, nor take ought there-from. If the Papists did beleeue the word, as the word of God, durſt they thus abuſe ignorant people? God deliver vsus from vnreaſonable, and evill men bbTheſ. 3.2.: for all men p. 47hauehave not faith. Now; why doe they this? Even becauſe they are ſo addicted to Idolatry, that deſpiſing the cenſure of Chriſt, Mat. 5.19. they will neither obey this word of God themſelues ccMat. 5.1…Matt 5:1, nor ſuffer the people to obey it, in not worſhipping Images. For they feare, that if it were publiſhed in their Catechiſmes, the people would, in time, abhorre that babiſh, and Babyloniſh Idolatry, obſerving how preciſely that commandement forbiddeth the worſhipping of Images, and how iealous God is thereof. And the more, when they know and conſider, that the whole Decalogue was written twice in Tables of Stone ddExod. 3.18. and 3… and 20.1…Exod 3:18Exod 3:3Exod 20:1, with the finger of God; which argueth the perpetuitie thereof, and that the Commandement forbidding worſhipping of Images is twice recorded by the Spirit eeDeut. 5.Deut 5, as the ſecond of the ten Commandements ſpoken by God himſelfe. But I pray you take knowledge p. 48of moſt damnable couſenage, viz. Becauſe the Scriptures ſay expreſſely, that God wrote ten Commandements in the two Tables …eut. 10.4., and the people generally know that there muſt be ten Commandements, they divide the tenth Commandement, and make Thou ſhalt not covet thy neighbours wife, the ninth; and Thou ſhalt not covet thy neighbours houſe, &c. the tenth. Note further, I pray you, as couſenage, ſo groſſe abſurditie; For the Commandement conſiſteth onelyonly in theſe words, Thou ſhalt not covet; So that it is abſurd to ſay that there be ſo many Commandements as there be obiects of coveting mentioned, as Oxe, Aſſe, &c. Were it not abſurd to make two Commandements of the fifth, becauſe therein be mentioned two obiects, (viz. Father, and Mother) of Honour, the dutie commanded. If it be ſayd, that Honour is but once commanded, whereas Coveting is p. 49twice forbidden, yea ſo, as that Coveting a neighbours wife is firſt forbidden, as if there were a kinde of reſpect to the ſeaventh Commandement: and Coveting a neighbours houſe, is forbidden afterward, as if there were a kinde of reſpect to the eight Commandement: I anſwer. All (yet) is but Coveting; which is twice vrged, becauſe more knowledge ſhould be taken of the Commandement: For if Paul had not knowne Lust to be a ſinne ggRom. 7.…Rom 7, had not this Commandement forbidden it, how would others hauehave knowne it? But further, I anſwere; That howſoever, indeed, not-coveting a wife be firſt ſet downe Deut. 5.21. yet notcoveting an houſe is firſt ſet downe Exod. 20.17. Which ſheweth that not-coveting houſe, wife, &c. is forbidden by one, and the ſame Commandement. HaueHave not we cauſe to thanke God, that we are delivered from Popery, which is the Myſtery of iniquitie?

p. 50Here (it may be) ſome will grant that the Word ſpoken by God, or Chriſt, who was God as well as man hh…ath. 1.23., is to be beleeved, and obeyed abſolutely without any doubting, or queſtioning: But they thinke, that the doctrine of others is not ſo to be beleeved, and obeyed. Let ſuch remember that God approoved the minde of the people, deſiring that GOD would ſpeake to them no more himſelfe ii… 5.25.26.27.28., and promiſing to heare, and doe whatſoever God ſhall ſpeake vntounto them by his ſervant. Obiect. It may be it will be replied. Yea, we grant that Moſes, Prophets, and Apoſtles ſent immediately from God, or Chriſt, their words are to be beleeved, and obeyed abſolutely: But ſo are not the Sermons of Preachers in theſe times. Indeed, Anſ. the Perſons of ordinary Paſtors, and Teachers, are not ſent immediately from God, or Chriſt, as were the perſons of Prophets, and Apoſtles: But their Miniſtery it ſelfe p. 51was immediately kk1 Cor. 12.….1 Cor 12ordeined by Chriſt, wherevnto they having fit gifts for the ſame, are called by the voyce of the Church llActs. 14.2…Acts 14:2, and therefore to be eſteemed as Miniſters of Chriſt mm1 Cor. 16.10.11.1 Cor 16:101 Cor 16:11. For they performe the ſame ordinary worke of the Miniſtery, in diſpoſing the Myſteries of God vntounto the aedification of the Church, which the Apoſtles did. Therefore the Apoſtle exhorteth Gods people nnHeb. 13.1…Heb 13:1to obey (which implyeth hearing, and beleeving) ſuch as had the charge of their ſoules. If then people are to eſteeme their Paſtors, and Teachers, as the Miniſters of Chriſt, they muſt, as did Cornelius ooActs. 10.3.33.Acts 10:3Acts 10:33, preſume, that they will Preach the Word of GOD, and be prepared accordingly to heare, which implyeth beleeving and obeying. I grant, that the doctrine of Paſtors, and Teachers, be they never ſo learned, and faithfull, is ſubiect to errour; whereas p. 52the Prophets, and Apoſtles delivered an infallible truth, therefore people may the more diligently (ſo it be with humilitie) try the Spirits. … Ioh. 4.1.John 4:1But if the truth of Gods Word be declared to their Conſciences, let them remember what Chriſt ſayth ppLuk. 10.1.16.Luke 10:1Luke 10:16, ſpeaking (not of the Apoſtles, but) of the ſeaventie Diſciples; He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me. Laſtly, let it be conſidered, Whether Naaman could hauehave excuſed his not-waſhing in Iordan qq2 King. 5.102 Kgs 5:10, by ſaying, He was commanded ſo to doe by a meſſenger, and not by the Prophet Eliſha; ſeeing that, which the Meſſenger commanded, was the Word of God as well, as if Eliſha had ſpoken it.

Vſe 6 If then Gods people are to ſay one to another, much more to their owne hearts, as did the people in Ezechiels time rrEzek. 33.30.Ezek 33:30, (but with better mindes) Let vsus goe, and heare what p. 53is the Word that commeth from the Lord. When they goe to heare their Paſtors, and Teachers, they muſt not bring with them eares, either Antichriſtian to hearken after Doctrines ſtrange, or not grounded vponupon the Word (For Chriſt his Sheepe know his voyce, and follow him ſſIoh. 10.4.John 10:4: They know not the voyce of a ſtranger, nor follow him) or itching tt2 Tim. 4.3.2 Tim 4:3, to hearken after the enticing ſpeech of mans wiſedome uu1 Cor. 2.4.5.1 Cor 2:41 Cor 2:5, as if their faith dependeth thereon: But let them be of Davids minde, who profeſſed that he loued Gods Word xxPſ. 116.113.Ps 116:113, but hated vaine inventions. Much leſſe are they to be ſo obſtinate, and wicked, as to ſay, either in their hearts, or with their mouthes yyIſa 30.10.Isa 30:10; Let not our Seers Prophecy right things, but errours, and flattering things.

Againe, Ʋſe 7 if people muſt come to Sermons with minds expecting onelyonly Doctrine grounded vponupon Gods Word, ſuch as they muſt beleeue, p. 54and obey as the Word of God, then the Preacher muſt be wiſe to ſeeke out the wordes of truth zz…ccleſ. 12.9.…0., and faithfull to Preach them as the wordes of God **Pet. 4 11., that is, with all authoritie aaTit. 2.15.Titus 2:15, in the plaine evidence of the Spirit bbCor. 2.4. For if any man Preach not according to the Word, what reading ſoever he make ſhew of, he hath no light in him ccIſa. 8.20.Isa 8:20: And howſoever his affected humane eloquence be applauded by itching eares, yet he doth but make Merchandize of the Word of God dd2 Cor. 2.17.2 Cor 2:17. Let Miniſters therefore ſpeake (as God himſelfe admoniſheth eeIer. 23.28.Jer 23:28) the Word faithfully; For what is chaffe to the wheate?

Laſtly; Ʋſe 8 Whereas I hauehave ſayd that every one of the afore-mentioned grounds of religion is of that powerfull truth, that if it be beleeved indeed, it perſwadeth the beleever to make Conſcience of ſinne, I muſt make it good touching this ground, viz. There is a Word of God, to wit, p. 55the Bible, to be beleeved. This is ſoone done, both theſe Propoſitions being prooved; 1. Whoſoever beleeveth the Word, as the Word of God, maketh Conſcience of ſinne; and 2. Whoſoever maketh not Conſcience of ſinne, beleeveth not the Word, as the Word of God. Touching the former. What other cauſe can be ſuppoſed why the Word was as a fire in Ieremy ffIer. 20.7.9.10.Jer 20:7Jer 20:9Jer 20:10, compelling him to ſpeak in the name of God, though in a ſtrong paſſion he had ſaid, he would not, but that he verily beleeved, that it was the Word of GOD which he was commanded to ſpeake, & which cōmanded him to ſpeake? The anſwer which Abraham gaue to the rich man in hell torments deſiring that Lazarus might be ſent vntounto his brethren to prevent their torments (viz. ggLuk. 16.2….28.29.Luke 16:2Luke 16:28Luke 16:29They hauehave Moſes, and the Prophets, let them heare them, that is, their doctrine) ſheweth plainely, that whoſoever heareth the words of p. 56God as the Words of God, cannot but make conſcience of ſinne: And Paul telleth the Romanes hhRom. 6.17.Rom 6:17, that howſoever they had beene ſervants of ſin, yet after they were delivered vntounto the forme of doctrine, that is, heard the Word as the Word of God, they obeyed that forme from the heart, that is, made conſcience of ſinne. 2. That whoſoever maketh not Conſcience of ſinne, beleeveth not the Word to be the Word of God, whatſoever he pretend, briefely thus appeareth. That wicked one who hath Gods Word in his mouth iiPſal. 50.16.17.Ps 50:16Ps 50:17, and yet will not be reformed, is iudged by God himſelfe to caſt his words behinde him. The remnant of the people of Iudah, and their Chieftaines prayed Ieremiah kkIer. 42.1.2.3 6.19.20.21.….43.1.2.Jer 42:1Jer 42:2Jer 42:3to enquire of God whether they might not fly into Egypt to ſaue themſelues from the Caldeans, proteſting to obey the Word of God whatſoever it ſhould be: Yet, when the VVord croſſed their purpoſe to fly p. 57into Egypt, they would not beleeue it. And when the rich man in hell, further preſſed Abraham to ſend Lazarus, he had this further anſwere; llLuk. 16.3…Luke 16:3If they heare not (with Faith) Moſes, and the Prophets, neither will they be perſwaded though one riſe from the dead againe. Both the Propoſitions are confirmed by theſe wordes of Chriſt mmIoh. 3.20.21.John 3:20John 3:21. He that doth evill hateth the light, that is, doth not beleeue the Word as the Word of God: But he that doth the truth commeth to the light, that his deedes might be made manifeſt, that they be wrought according to God. To whom be glory by all men in their obedience of FAITH. Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Adoniram Byfield, The Principle of All Principles Concerning Religion (1624)