The Plain Mans Senses Exercised to Discern Good and Evil, Chapter 1 · Section 3
CAP. I. SECT. III. Of their Error, Lond. Test. p. 5.who teach, that it is no foundation of Christian Religion, to believe that the Scriptures, in English, are the Word of God.
NOw, Doctr. 3 that ye may discern the Truth, and avoid the Danger of this wicked Error, I oppose unto it my third Doctrine, which is this, (namely) To believe the Scriptures (which we are bid to search) whether in the Originals, or in the English Translations, to be the Word of God (that is) to contain in them the Mind and Will of God, concerning Mans Salvation, is a necessary foundation of Christian Religion, that is, of our Faith, and worship of our Profession and Practise, else to what end did Christ bid search the Scriptures, if the believing of what we search and find to be the Word of God, be not the foundation of our Religion? To what end should I search the Bible, rather than any other Book, if I do not think it to be of God? And I therefore search it, that I may know what Religion to be of, that is, what I must believe and professe; what God I must worship, and in what manner: The end of that searching was to beget Faith and true Religion in those unbelieving Jewes, with whom Christ had to deal. If I believe it not to be of God, I can have no foundation of my Religion. For true Religion is not the Product of naturall Reason, or humane Wisdome, but of the will of God, declaring all matters of Faith, of Worship and Life. No man hath known God at any time,True Religion is onelyonly from God. and as long as the World was without the revealed will of God, they wandred after the imaginations of their own hearts: so he tells the Galatians, Acts 14.16.c. 4.8. When ye knew not God, ye did service unto them, which by nature are no Gods: That which is not God by nature, is not God at all: There were Gods of Mens making: the Gods of the Nations were not Gods, but onelyonly in the opinion and conceit of them that made them so: We know that an Idoll is nothing (that is) nothing indeed,1 Cor. 8.4. nothing but in the conceit of the Idolater, it is no such thing, as he takes it to be. Now that which is a God of mans making,Deut. 32.17. Isa. 43.12. Jud. 5.8. is not God. The Lord chargeth the people with this folly, they Sacrificed unto Devils, not to God, to Gods whom they knew not, to new Gods that came newly up: whereas the true God is not a made God, he is a God whether we think it or not, he is God by his own nature, the ever living and eternall God, in the knowledge and true worship of him does all true Religion consist, and therefore in compassion to the World, God sent unto the Jewes first, his Word, his Statutes,Rom. 3.3. and Ordinances, a choice Priviledge. Chiefly, because unto them were committed the Oracles of God: And in the fulnesse of time he brought the Gentiles into fellowship with the Iewes, Act. 14.15.and turned them from their vanities unto the Living God, which made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all things therein. You know (sayes Paul to the Thessalonians, 1 Ep. 1.9.) How ye turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God.
All religion is either the invention of men, or of God; if our Religion be after the Inventions and Commandements of men, it is all in vaine. Mark 7.7.Col. 2.23. In vaine doe they Worship me, teaching for doctrines the Commandements of men, although they carry the greatest shew of wisdome, humility, and Austerity. That which the Lord hath commanded us, that only may we doe; whatsoever things I command you observe to doe it, thou shalt not adde thereto, nor diminish from it. Deut. 12.32. His will revealed is the only true ground of all Religion, and the measure of his Worship; if we doe any thing contrary, nay, if any thing besides what he commands, it is abomination: The Prophet Ieremy speaking of the peoples inventing additionall services does condemne them in this very respect, because God commanded them not, nor spake it, neither came it into his mind, Jer. 19.5. If it came not into his mind, then not from his mind to us; And therefore that Religion is all in vaine. Let this then be first setled in your minds, that the word of God is the only foundation of Christian Religion.
And for the right grounding of our Religion, it is necessary that we believe it to be so; To believe the scriptures to be the word of God, is the foundation of Christian Religion, We are built upon the foundation (that is upon the doctrine) of the Prophets and Apostles, Eph. 2.20.22.and Faith is it, that causeth us to rest thereon; therefore it is called the word of faith; it must be received as from God, believed as Gods word; if we doe not believe it to be the word of God, we have no reason to ground our Religion upon it, more than upon the Alcoran; if we doe not believe it to be the word of God, we have no faith, and consequently no Religion. Thus Christ argueth Ioh. 5.46, 47. Had ye believed Moses, you would have believed me, but if ye believe not his writings, How shall ye believe my words? To believe the scriptures to be the word of God, is the ground of faith, and therefore the foundation of Christian Religion.
Yea, Obj. but to believe the English scriptures, or the Bible translated into English to be the word of God; This is no foundation of Christian Religion.
This is but an old piece of Popery in an Independent dresse▪Scriptures in English are the Rule of Faith. The Papists to discredit our Translations, and to keep the people from Reading the Scriptures, and so to keep up the Churches Authority, are wont to Cavill and say, the English scriptures are no foundation of Christian Religion.
Thus that Iesuite, Way to the Church. S. 5. The Jesuites, Rule.with whom Doctor White has to doe, layes this for his first conclusion (namely) that the scripture alone, especially as translated into the English Tongue, cannot b… the rule of Faith: He gives two Reasons for his Assertion… The first is, Reas. 1 because these Translations are not infallible, as the Rule of Faith must be; for neither were the Scripture immediately written by the Holy Ghost in our language neither were the Translators assisted by the Spirit infallible, as appeares by the often change, and correcting of the Translations,Dr. White's way to the Church. 5.6. which shews, that some of them were defective.— How can an unlearned man be sure, that this Translation, which now I have, or you have, does not erre, unless you admit the Authority of the Church, to assure us, that such and such a Translation doth not erre?
For answer hereunto, I lay down these two Conclusions: Answ. First, that Divine Truth in English, is as truly the Word of God, as the same Scriptures delivered in the Originall, Hebrew or Greek; yet with this difference, that the same is perfectly, immediately, and most absolutely in the Originall Hebrew and Greek, in other Translations, as the vessels wherein it is presented to us, and as far forth as they do agree with the Originalls: And every Translation agreeing with the Originall in the matter, is the same Canonicall Scripture that Hebrew or Greek is, even as it is the same Water, which is in the Fountain, and in the Stream; we say this is the Water of such or such a Well, or Spring, because it came from thence; so it is in this business, when the Apostles spake the wonderfull works of God in the languages of all Nations (that were at Jerusalem) wherein they were born; the Doctrine was the same to all,Acts 2.8 11. of the same Truth and Divine Authority in the severall Languages: And this Doctrine is the Rule we seek for, and the foundation upon which our Religion is grounded, and it is all one thing, whether it be brought to my understanding in Welch, or English, or Greek,Dr. White's way S. 5.2. or Latine: All Language, or Writing, is but the Vessell, the Symbole, or Declaration of the Rule, not the Rule it self: It is a certain form or means by which the divine Truth cometh unto us, as things are contained in their words, and because the Doctrine and matter of the Text…s not made known unto me but by words, and a language which I understand; therefore I say, the Scripture in English is the rule and ground of my Faith; whereupon I relying, have not a humane, but a divine Authority for my Faith. Even as an unbeliever coming to our Sermons, is convinced of all, and judged of all, 1 Cor. 14.24.and he will acknowledge the Divine Truth of God, although by a humane voice in preaching, it be conveyed unto him, so we enjoy the infallible Doctrine of the Scripture, though by a mans Translation it be manifested unto me.
My second conclusion is this; That to believe this to be so (that is) to believe the scripture in English to be the word of God, is a necessary meanes for grounding of Faith and Religion in the hearts of English people.
The reason is, Reas. 1 because the rule of faith must be first both certaine, and Secondly known. For if it be not certaine, it is no rule at all, and if it be not known, it is no rule to us. Wherefore God hath taught us by corporall letters,White's way. pag 17. which we see and read, what he would have us believe concerning him; But to him that heareth not, or that believeth not, Truth and Error, light and darknesse is all one. Observe the Apostles reasoning,Rom. 10.14. How shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? (believing you see is the foundation of that part of Christian Religion, (namely) holy invocation) and how shall they believe in him, 1 Thes. 2.13.of whom they have not heard? if they doe not understand the minde of God by hearing, and hearing it as from God, as the word of God and not of Man, it is no more than if they heard a piece of Virgil, or Cesars Commentaries; for how can we preach to the convincing of consciences, and setling of their souls in the way of Religion, except they be perswaded, that he that preacheth, speaketh from God?
Lastly, Reas. 2 what comfort can there be in that Religion, which we are not perswaded is of God? no Religion is able to bring us unto God, but that which came from God, if I doubt of that, I have no Religion at all.
But how can we believe the Scriptures translated into English, Obj 1 t… be of God, seeing Translations are not so infallible, as the rule of faith must be, in many places they doe not agree with the Originalls?
Let the English Translation of the Bible stand for true, Answ. untill the Jesuite or the Sectary be able to prove the contrary.
O, but I cannot believe them to be true, because the Translators were not assisted immediately by the holy Ghost.
Such extraordinary assistance is needfull to one, that shall indite any part of Scripture, but not to a Translator, for a man by his skill in both Languages, by the ordinary helps of prayer and industry is able to open in the English tongue, what was before lockt up in the Originall Hebrew, or Greek. As a Spanish or Danish Embassadour, delivers his Message, and receives his answer by an Interpreter. — The interpreter needs not any inspiration, but by his skill in both languages, and his fidelity, he delivers the true mind of one Nation to another: So it is in this case, the Translator is Gods interpreter to a strange people.
Oh! But by the often change and variable Translations, Obj. 2 it seems that some have erred.
Ans. 1. Our English Speech doth vary and change: Answ. 1 Books of Law and History, written in Old English three hundred yeares ago, are hardly understood now,As the same p…cture in a lesser modell, and of the Body at large. and therefore there will need a new translation of them, yet without any alteration in the matter: so in respect of words, and manner of speech, a Translation may be defective, when as it is not erroneous for the sense.
2. Answ. 2 We do not say this or that Translation is the Rule and Judge, but the Divine Truth translated; the knowledge whereof is brought to us in the Translation, as the Vessell, wherein the Rule is presented to us, as is abovesaid.
Oh! But how can I be assured, Obj. 3 that the Divine Truth is brought in our Translation, rather than in yours? How the unlearned may know, that his Translation erreth not.Which does seem to favour the contrary side and opinion, or that either of them is infallible, seeing the Translator being but a Man, may erre, and how shall a unlearned man be sure that this or that Translation erreth not?
Answ. He knoweth it three wayes: First by the Ministry.1By the help of the Ministry. Secondly, by the light it self shining in our Translation. Thirdly by the testimony and approbation of the guides of the Church. Philip said to the Eunuch, Acts 8.31.Ʋnderstandest thou what thou readest? And he said, how can I, except some man should guide me? God hath set Guides to his Church,Mal. 2.7. and he endues them with ability, and fidelity to guide his people. The Priests lips should keep knowledge, and the People should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts. As lock up a new Apprentice, and a shop of Tooles together, and he will come forth as ignorant as he went in: But let his Master shew him the use of those Tooles, and then by having his senses exercised, he understands the use of them, not so much by the authority of his Master, as by the reason which his Master shews him, then he manageth the trade upon the same reason, that his Master did: so lock up an unlearned man, and a Bible together, and he will come forth as ignorant in matters of faith, as he went in, if you afford no helps: But give him a guide, to open the Scriptures, and then he understands the doctrine, that it is of God.
The Translation is done by the Ministery of the Church, and industry of certain men; And although they be not Priviledged from mistakes, yet we know infallibly, that they have not erred in the matter: we know it, I say, by the same meanes, whereby we know other Truths and Articles of Faith,2 By the Lights that shine in the Translation. (namely) by the light of the doctrine translated; for the doctrine contained in the Scripture, is a light, and so it abideth, into what language soever it be Translated, and the children of light know it, and discern it, (as is at large discoursed already) for they know his voice from all others.John 10.
And seeing they have faithfully presented the Truth of Scriptures in our own language,3By the approbation of the Guides of the Church, and of other reformed Churches. we know that the Translation it self is agreeing to the Originalls; for a false Translation does not carry in it the truth of God: Besides this, Ignorant people may rest secure of this point, because our Translation hath the approbation of the guides of our Church, and of other reformed Churches, and stands uncontrouled against the Cavills and malice of the Adversary. The Testimony of friends and foes too, has the force of a twofold Testimony:John 9 29. The Jews said, we know, that God spake unto Moses. How did they know it? They were not living in Moses dayes; yet they knew it by the constant and uncontrouled Tradition of that Church from Moses time, till Christs: God spake in the presence and hearing of Threescore Thousand men, besides women and Children, who were eye witnesses of many wonders, by which the Ministery of Moses was confirmed, and the certainty thereof delivered downe from age to age, with the consent of the Prophets; who lived and bare witnesse from time to time; the last of which doth give this Testimony to Moses Ministery.M… 4.4. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb: By the like Testimony and Ministery of the Church, may our people rest assured of the present truth of our Translation,John 9.30. why herein is a marvellous thing that ye know not, the same Testimony should produce beliefe in Christ, as it did in Moses. Some things are first known, and then believed, as Christ said to Thomas; John 20.29.Because thou hast seen, thou hast believed; other things are first believed, and then made evident afterward: As that the Scriptures are Gods word, which is evidenced to us more and more by the power of God speaking to our hearts in the Scripture, and giving us such a taste and feeling of spirituall and eternall things, as we can never be removed from the certainty of that perswasion, we say as the people of Samaria to that woman, now we believe, Iohn 4.not because of thy sayings (as at the first they did, ver. 39.) but because of his own word, (ver. 41.) for we have heard him our selves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
The second grand reason,2 The Jesuits Reason. whereby the Jesuite would prove that the Scriptures alone, especially as they are translated into English, cannot be the Rule of Faith, is this, Because the unlearned cannot read or understand them, yea learned men are not sure that they rightly understand them, since it is certaine,Dr. White's way, S. 6. that of the same words of Scripture diverse understand and expound diversly, so that all cannot expound aright, one Exposition is contrary to another, and therefore their Expositions cannot be that rule of Faith which we seek: yea there is nothing more common among our Sectaries, than to reproach and slander our Ministerie, telling our people that their Priests have deluded them, they have falsified the Word of God, &c.
Here therefore it will not be unseasonable to answer this profitable question, Quest. (namely) How plaine ordinary Christians may discerne the true sense of Scripture from false and counterfeit? How a Christian may judge of the true sense?
For direction herein, Answ. I shall speak first by way of Preparation to the party, that would not be deceived; Secondly, to the Rule it selfe, our right judging.
First, as for the party, if thou desire to know the truth, Be sure thou read and heare with singlenesse of heart; See Psal. 25.9. Prov. 8.9.lay by all prejudicate conceits, and affections, and then as new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the word, John 7. Iohn 8.32. 1 Pet. 2.2.that ye may live and grow thereby.
Secondly, Rule. 1 Now for the rule it selfe of right judging and discerning the true sence of Scripture, I shall only name them: They are these four. First, The sence or Exposition given of any place of Scripture, must agree with the generall scope of Scripture…, which is to set forth the Excellencies of God, His grace, wisdom, mercy, &c. And to abase man, to bring us back to God, to possesse and enjoy him, to be partakers of his holinesse and glorious Excellencies.Acts 26.18. Eph. 2.1.18. The generall scope of Scripture is to make us holy, and whatsoever interpretation doth draw us from duty, if the fruit and effect of the Exposition lead unto sin and looseness, it is a false sense, it is not of the spirit of God: mark what their Doctrine drives at,Mat. 7.15, 16. and by the fruit of their doctrine ye shall know them.
The sense and exposition that is given of any place of Scripture, Rule. 2 must agree with the Analogie of Faith, with the generall Rules and Articles of Christian Verity received by the Churches of Christ, our Exposition must not cross the Articles of Faith:Rom. 12.6. 1 Cor. 3.10.11. 2 Tim. 1.13. The Buil…ing must be answerable to the Foundation, and so hold fast the forme of sound words: New Lights, new, uncouth, unsound words and expressions are to be suspected, that they carry in them an erroneous and corrupt sense.
The sense and exposition given of any place of Scripture, Rule. 3 must be such as the words in their true Literall and Gra…aticall Construction will yeild and beare, else it is a false sense: No Commentary must overthrow the Text; every Exposition must be such, as the words in their true signification, being proper, or figurative, do yeild: No Exposition of Scripture is to be accepted, which the words taken with their scope will not bear. The Litterall sense is not onelyonly that which the words do properly afford, but also that which they afford in their borrowed sense, according to the intention of him that speaketh, and the matter which he would have understood by the comparisons, wherewith things are compared; so that look what it is that God would have us understand by the words of Scripture properly used, or figuratively, that is the literal sense, and the true meaning of the place. Here you must remember also, that the intent and scope of the place is to be gathered by what goes before, and what follows after the Text, that is in debate: you must not take a part of a Scripture-sense, and leave out the other part.
The fourth and last Rule to judge between a true and false sense, is this, You must compare one place with another, Rule. 4 and the plainer places must be the rule to expound the more obscure: But beware that ye never accept of a mysticall and dark place against a plain place; never forsake a plain place to follow those which are dark and mysterious. It is the pride of many, both Preachers and others, to be dealing in the darkest places of Scripture, (of Daniel and the Revelation) and by the sound of some words not well understood, to ra…se strange Conceits, and new Truths (as they call them) and accordingly put themselves upon unwarrantable actions and practises, contrary to known duty.
Why doe not you that are Preachers better agree in your Expositions? You differ among your selves, Obj. and upon the same text preach different Doctrines.
1. Answ. Though we make different observations upon the same Text, yet not one contrary to another: The fulness of Scripture is such, that one man sees farther than another into a Text, yet all bear witness to the same Truth of God. Peter and John came both of them to the Sepulchre, to see whether Christ were risen; Iohn came first, yet went not in, onelyonly he saw the linnen clothes lying; but Simon Peter went into the Sepulchre, and taketh a particular view of all things, yet both saw enough, and both were witnesses to the same truth: so it is in expounding of Scriptures, some see and declare the truth in a generall way, they come first to the Sepulchre, others dive deeper into the meaning, yet both are witnesses to the same Jesus, and to the word of his Truth: one true sense may be uttered diversly. All variety doth not make a contrariety of expositions.
Secondly, I answer, that for substance of Doctrine, there is a sweet Harmony among the Reformed Churches, so that you may go into a thousand Congregations, where our old sound Ministers are the Lights that shine, and you shall finde that they all speak the same thing, preach the same Jesus Christ, and walk after the same Spirit.