A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 8 (Question 2 cont.)
SERMON VIII.
Articl. 3. THAT the Scriptures are a ſufficient Rule to direct us to our chief end. Let it be here remembred, that the ſufficiency of the Scripture as a Rule, doth not deny the neceſſity of the guidance of the Spirit in order to our attaining our end: for, beſides our want of a Rule to direct us, we alſo need eyes to ſee, and ears to hear, & hearts to conſider, which muſt be given us by the Spirit of God, or elſe the Scriptures will not profit us; the Diſciples had the Word of God, but they were ignorant of the Myſteries of it, till Chriſt opened their underſtandings, (Luk. 24.45.) We therefore have David praying for this, Pſal. 119.18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. But ſtill all theſe great and wondrous things are contained there, and there is no truth needful to guide us to bleſſedneſs, but what that word recommends unto us; the perfection of the Scripture is celebrated by the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 19.7. The law of the Lord is perfect — &c. And ſet forth by the Apoſtle, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. All ſcripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inſtruction in righteouſneſs: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works. And what more can be ſaid to aſſure us of the Scripture's ſufficiency! But becauſe this truth is impugned by many, and man's inventions are introduced and impoſed as needful to ſupply the Scripture's defects; and this being the foundation of all the following Doctrines of Religion, it needs to be well laid, that we may be firmly eſtabliſhed in the belief of it. Here then I ſhall lay down this aſſertion, & endeavour to make it good, viz.
THAT whatſoever is requiſite in a Rule to make it perfect, is to be found in the Scripture, in reſpect of that whereof it is a Rule. All Arts and Sciences have their Rules, under which the Doctrine of them is comprehended; and that ſyſtem of Rules which is adequately ſuted to the Art, is a ſufficient Rule, & perfect, tho' it teach nothing of another Art: and if the Scripture be every way ſuted to guide men right to happineſs, it muſt be ſo, tho' it doth not teach other inferiour Arts: Here then, let us conſider what are the properties of a perfect Rule, and ſee how they agree to the Scripture, with reſpect to felicity. Now there are Three eſſential Properties of a Rule, without all of which, it will not deſerve ſo to be called, viz. 1. It muſt be true. 2. It muſt be full. 3. It muſt be plain. The neceſſity of each of theſe, and how truly they belong to the written word of God, will be worth our while diſtinctly to take notice of.
I. IT belongs to a Rule that it be true. This is firſtly and moſt eſſentially neceſſary to it, as will appear from the very nature and end of a Rule, the uſe of a Rule is to guide a man right to the end he aims at: All art is practical; but all practice is not artificial. There are right, and there are falſe ſtrokes which man may take, and it is of great concernment which of the two they do. Hence knowledge is prerequiſite to practice: the underſtanding muſt be informed, what is to be done, how elſe can the actions be orderly? the eye muſt guide the hand, otherwiſe it will make miſerable work; and it cannot guide, except it have a rule to guide by: Now the very proper object of the underſtanding is truth: If then the rule be not true, it is falſly called a rule; it is indeed none: the end of a rule is to tell a man what is right, & what is wrong; which it cannot do, except itſelf be true; it is to keep a man from erring and miſtaking, but if that be falſe, it is ſo far from this, that it is the very parent of error, and a miſtake built upon a ſuppoſed rule, is the moſt dangerous miſtake of all: a rule is to inform men, and give them knowledge, but unleſs it be true, it leads men into ignorance, and is ſo far from informing, that it deceives them: and is ſo far from bringing them to their end, that it leads them quite away from it, and leaves them wide of it: every rule therefore muſt be of an eternal and unchangeable verity: and from hence ariſes one great vanity of humane ſciences, that men being ſhort fighted, have laid down conjectures inſtead of rules, and ſo ſetled their ſyſtems with uncertain canons: But if we apply this to the Scriptures, we ſhall find it fully agreeing to them; they are all of them true, and there is no falſehood, error, or miſtake in them; all that is left upon record in the book of God, is of unqueſtionable verity: this is one of the excellencies which David aſcribes to the law or word of God, Pſal. 19.9. —The judgments of the Lord are true,— Hebr. Truth: Truth in the abſtract, and altogether ſo; there is not one flaw to be fo…d in them. Here two things may come under conſideration. 1. How the Scriptures appear to be true? 2. Wherein the truth of the Scriptures as a rule doth conſiſt?
Q. 1. HOW the Scriptures appear to be true? A. THERE needs no more to evidence this, but only the conſideration, that they are the word of God: and if they be acknowledged to be ſo, none but an Atheiſt will call the truth of them in queſtion. That they are the word of God hath already been proved in a ſet diſcourſe; that becauſe they are ſo, they muſt needs be true, is now to be proved unleſs it might be thought ſuperfluous; however, let theſe few things be conſidered for the confirmation of it.
(1.) GOD who is the author of the Scripture, is truth itſelf, and therefore his word muſt needs be true. Truth is one of the divine attributes or perfections which belong to God eminently, and inſeparably, he is ſo true, that he cannot ly. Heb. 6.18. —impoſſible for God to lie.—Had it come from men originally, it might be ſuſpected; but it's above ſuſpicion in that it is from him. Rom. 3.4. — Let God be true, but every man a lyar. When Truth it ſelf may be ſuſpected of falſehood, then, & not till then, may the truth of the Scripture be made a doubt of.
(2.) GOD gave the Scripture to the children of men on purpoſe to be a Rule to them, to point them out the right way. It therefore muſt either be true, or not a Rule; and this muſt either be by reaſon of ignorance, or miſtake in him, which cannot be; for God is light, and in him is no darkneſs: beſides, Mans Rule depends upon his Divine Will, & how can he not throughly know his own Will? except we ſhould conceive him to change his mind, which cannot be, for he is Immutable, and becauſe he is God, he changeth not, Mal. 3.6. or elſe it muſt be becauſe he purpoſely deceives men, which as it is derogatory to his glory to conceive; ſo it will appear impoſſible in reſpect of the Scriptures in the next thing.
(3.) THE principal end of God's giving the Scriptures, was for the ſake of His Church, and choſen ones: They muſt needs therefore be true. This inference will be evident, if we conſider,
1. THAT there is a number whom God hath ſet his love upon from Eternity, and appointed them to Glory. This is a truth which we have full teſtimony for in Scripture: if we call the truth of that in queſtion, we have nothing to aſcertain us, of the ſalvation of any of Mankind, and what would this tend to, but to deſtroy all Religion out of the world? but this is an article believed by all that own the Orthodox Religion.
2. THESE had loſt the way to the Kingdom. The fall had loſt all mankind, and the Elect as well as others in the dark. That was a truth of them all, Rom 3.17. The way of peace, have they not known.
3. GOD gave them the Scripture on purpoſe to guide or direct them to the way of life & happineſs. It was he made known to them how they might come to ſalvation: for this reaſon David gives the word of God that Encomium, Pſal. 119.104. Through thy precepts I get underſtanding: therefore I hate every falſe way. And Solomon, Prov. 6.23. The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light —. Hence that of our Saviour, Joh. 5.39. Search the ſcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which teſtifie of me.
4. IF then it had not been true, it could never have attained this end, or profited them to this purpoſe. It could not have led them to life; if it can make them happy, it muſt needs be true; for nothing elſe but truth can bring us to goodneſs, which neceſſarily pre-ſuppoſes it.
(4.) THE great peace which is enjoyed by walking in conformity to the Scripture, proves the truth of it. The happineſs of theſe men ſtands to confirm the verity of the word of God. It is the Pſalmiſts Obſervation; Pſal. 119.165. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing ſhall offend them. When there can be nothing but trouble & vexation ariſe from the following of a falſehood; and it is the Apoſtle's aſſertion, Gal. 6 16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them. It brings them to peace with God, and eſtabliſheth peace in their Conſciences, yea, finally, it brings them to everlaſting peace.
Q 2. WHEREIN the truth of the Scriptures as a Rule, doth con…t?
A. TRUTH and Falſhood being contraries, hence that which cannot be charged with any falſhood may be ſaid to be true: but there is ſomething more to be con…ered in the truth of a Rule, to denominate it ſo. The general nature of Truth conſiſts in conformity; but the Truth of a Rule requires conformity in more reſpects than one. In particular,
(1.) EVERY Canon or Article in a Rule, muſt have a ſelf conformity: It muſt agree with it ſelf; and thus it holds in common with all truth whatſoever. That which diſagrees with it ſelf, is therefore falſe, becauſe it diſagrees; for there is a perfect Harmony in Truth. Every Precept of any doctrine, muſt have an Axiomatical Verity in it, i. e. it muſt ſay of the thing as it is, it muſt connect things to be connected, and disjoyn… things to be disjoyned; it muſt ſpeak of things as they be: and this truth belongs to the Scripture, and runs thro' every ſentence of it; there is not a word there, but what is ſo as ſpoken. There are various matters contained in the Scripture, and there is truth belonging to each of them, and in them. There are matters Hiſtorical, and the truth of them is in relating matters of fact as they were; and there is no ſtory there, but is related right, however incredible ſome things may ſeem to a carnal mind; there is nothing Romantick there: Hiſtories indeed are delivered compendiouſly… being bro't in only in ſubſervience to an higher deſign, but there is nothing ſpoken but what was. And there are Propheſies there of many future things: the Predictions of after events, and the truth of theſe is in the Harmony between the Prediction and Accompliſhment: Many of theſe have been already fulfilled, and that exactly. No one circumſtance omitted, which hath verified thoſe Propheſies, and the reſt ſhall in their proper ſeaſon, and are therefore true, becauſe of the certain futurity of them, not poſſible to be fruſtrated. There are Precepts there, both Poſitive and Negative, the truth whereof conſiſts in their agreement with the will of God concerning mans duty: now all theſe do ſpeak God's mind to us. Hence that, Mic. 6.8. He hath ſhewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to do juſtly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? And for this reaſon they are called good Statutes & Judgments, which they could not be unleſs they were true. There are Promiſes and Threatnings, the truth whereof conſiſts in the Connection there is between the things promiſed or threatned, and the Conditions to which they are annexed: when theſe are made according to the ſettled purpoſe, and unchangeable reſolution of him that made them, they are true, and ſuch are they all: that may be applied to them, with reference to the Promiſes, Numb. 23.19. God is not a man, that he ſhould lie, neither the ſon of man, that he ſhould repent: hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it? or hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not make it good? And in reſpect of the threatnings, 1 Sam. 15.29. And the ſtrength of Iſrael will not lie, nor repent: for he is not a man that he ſhould repent. And to theſe heads may … part of Scripture be reduced; ſo that each part of it is true.
(2.) TO the truth of a Rule is required an agreement between the ſeveral Articles contained in it. A Rule is but one, tho' it may conſiſt of many branches; but then there muſt be no contradiction between them: Truth is always conſenting; where there is contradiction there is falſhood, that which is aſſerted in one place, muſt not be denied in another, becauſe there would be an inconſiſtency; and if one be true, the … cannot be ſo: This truth alſo belongs to the Scripture; there is a great harmony in it, as hath already been proved. The adverſaries of the word of God have endeavoured to ſet it at variance with it ſelf, but all in vain; and thoſe ſeeming contradictions in it have been no more than ſeeming, ariſing from the darkneſs of mens underſtandings, and perverſeneſs of their hearts: and God hath raiſed up many faithful Inſtruments in his Church, who have wiped off all thoſe aſperſions, and ſhewn how eaſily thoſe miſtaken differences may be reconciled.
(3.) TO the truth of a Rule, as ſuch, there is further required, that all the ſeveral parts of it do concurr to the ſame deſign or end. That a rule may be true, it muſt be Ho…ge…al. Truth is methodical; Error …es latent in confuſion. A thing may be true in it ſelf, and yet not a truth in ſuch a Science, becauſe it belongs not to it; now a Rule is directive to an end, and hence every thing which it preſcribes is ſo far of the truth of that Rule, as it is directive or helpful to that end: The end of the Rule of Religion is to point man to Happineſs, to glorify God, and obtain Salvation, whatever is really ſubſervient to this end, may truly be ſaid to belong to it, and to be a Truth in it. And thus alſo the Scriptures are true: There is nothing ſpoken in the whole book of God, but contains ſome Theological Verity in it, and there may a ſpiritual improvement be made of it. It is true, God ſpeaks there to us after divers manners; but all is not only accommodated to the ſtate & capacity of his People, but alſo to the furtherance of our ſerving of God, and ob…ing of Salvation. The Rule of Divinity hath to do with the Underſtandings, Wills, Affections, and Senſes of men; and they need both teaching and quickning: and tho' the Scripture is ſometime delivered hiſtorically, yet all is for information, or excitation; and there is no text ſo barren but there is ſome Doctrine, and ſome Uſe ſpiritual that may be made of it; nothing that is beſides this purpoſe, either to give us light, or to put life into us; all may be reduced to ſome of thoſe heads mentioned by the Apoſtle. 2. …. 3.16. All ſcripture is given by inſ…ation of God, and is profitable for doctrine …, for correction, for inſtruction … righteouſ… Th…s are the Scriptures every way true, and this is one property of them, commending them to us as a ſufficient Rule.
USE. Inſtead of anſwering Caſes here, give me leave to commend the reading & ſtudy of the Scripture to all, particularly to young ones, from the conſideration of theſe properties of it, and at preſent from this of Truth, and I may hence offer ſuch perſwaſives as theſe,
1. IT is a pleaſant employment. The Wiſe man tells us, that light is ſweet; and what light is to the eye, that is truth to the underſtanding. This is an Object ſ…ted to that faculty: it is the food or rep… of the Soul. We are therefore adviſed to feed upon it, Pſal. 37.4. And there is no truth ſo ſweet and delectable as Divine truth is, and this is that which the Word of God is full of. Job therefore preferred it before his neceſſary food, Chap. 23.12. David found it ſo, and was therefore always chewing upon it. Pſal. 119 103. How ſweet are thy words unto my taſte, yea, ſweeter than ho…y to my mouth.
2. IT is a very profitable employment. Falſhood is pernicious, but Truth is beneficial: and there is manifold profit in it.
1. IT is profitable for direction. Truth is a Compaſs, a Pole-ſtar to ſhew man how to ſteer his Courſe, ſo as to reach his haven, and not miſs of it: All men are travellers, they have a pathleſs wilderneſs to go thro', their going right is of everlaſting concernment; if you would know your way, and not miſs of it, ſtudy this unerring Rule, enquire at this Oracle, and you need not be at a loſs; hear what the word faith, and you ſhall do well. Iſa. 8.20. To the law and to the teſtimony: if they ſpeak was according to this word, it is becauſe there is no light in them.
2. IT is profitable for Correction. Poor Sinners are out of the way, and gotten into a more of fooliſh and deſtructive errors; if ever you would have a Clue to help you out, you … make uſe of the word of God: it muſt be Truth that muſt bring you into the way again, and you muſt ſearch the Scriptures to find it. (Job. 5.39.) This was it by which David was admoniſhed. (Pſal. 19.11.) And it directs young men to it; Pſal. 119.9. Wherewith ſhall a young man clearſe his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
3. IT is profitable in point of ſafety & ſecurity There are a great many courſes men take, but they are at a loſs about them, and kept in …ſpenſe; becauſe they have no certainty in them, they may be deceived: but Truth hath that property in it, that it cannot deceive. Men indeed may deceive themſelves, through the falſeneſs of their own hearts, by perver… ing the truth; but that is their own, and not the Scripture's fault: if you keep always cloſe to the word of God, you ſhall be ever ſafe; and that you may do ſo, make it continually … man of your Counſels.
4. IT is profitable in point of comfort. There are many promiſes which Satan makes men; but they have no comfort in all, becauſe they have no truth in them. There are many ho…s men ſupport themſelves withal, but they give little ſatisfaction, becauſe they have no ſecurity but the Promiſes of the word of God, are therefore ſolid & ſubſtantial comforts, not only becauſe they contain more excellent things in them, but alſo becauſe they are built upon Truth, which is a foundation that cannot be ſhaken. This David remarks, Pſal. 132.11. The Lord …ath ſ… in truth unto David—. God hath ſet his Truth as a ſeal to all his Promiſes, and that is an unmoveable ſecurity. Labour then to believe that the word of God is Truth, and let that allure you, to take pleaſure in laying it up in your minds and hearts; and while others feed their fancies with lies, Romances, and fooliſh vanities, get your heads & ſouls full of the word of God: read, hear, and meditate much on it, ſo ſhall you have a Rule to go by▪ which will both counſel & comfort you in the houſe of your Pilgrimage, & deliver you … the falſe & crooked paths of deſtruction, in which multitudes are loſt for ever, becauſe they deſpiſed & neglected this Rule; yea, this light & truth, ſhall lead you into his holy hill, and keep you to his everlaſting Kingdom.
[AUGUST 14. 1688.]