who writes of the lives of Popes. Pope Liberius was an Arian; and Pope John XII. denied the immortality of the soul; therefore Popes are not fit interpreters of scripture. Who then?

A. The scripture is to be its own interpreter, or rather the Spirit speaking in it; nothing can cut the diamond but the diamond; nothing can interpret scripture but scripture; the sun best discovers itself by its own beams; the scripture interprets itself in easy places to the understanding. But the question is concerning hard places of scripture where the weak Christian is ready to wade beyond his depth. Who shall interpret here?

A. In the church, God hath appointed some to expound and interpret scripture; therefore he hath given gifts to men; the several pastors of churches, like bright constellations, give light to dark scriptures : Mal. ii. 7., "The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth."

Q. But this is to pin our faith upon men?

daily, whether those things were so." They weighed the doctrine they heard, whether it was agreeable to scripture, though Paul and Silas were their teachers. 2 Tim. iii. 16.

Use 1st. See the wonderful goodness of God, who, besides the light of nature, hath committed to us the sacred scriptures. The heathens are enveloped with ignorance, Ps. cxlvii. 20., "As for his judgments they have not known them." They have the oracles of the sybils, but not the writings of Moses and the Apostles. How many live in the region of death where this bright star of scripture never appeared? We have this blessed book of God to resolve all our cases, to chalk out a way of life to us. John xiv. 22., "Lord, how is it thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" Seeing God hath given us his written word to be our directory, this takes away all excuses from men. No man can say, "I went wrong for want of light." No, God hath given thee his word, as a lamp to thy feet; therefore now, if thou goest wrong, thou dost it wilfully. No man can say, I had known the will of God, I would have obeyed." No, thou art inexcusable, O man! God hath given thee a rule to go by, he hath written his law with his own finger, therefore now, if thou obeyest not, thou hast no apology left. If a master leaves his mind in writing with his servant, and tells him what work he will have done, yet the servant neglects the work, that servant is left without excuse, John xv. 22., "Now you have no cloak

"If

A. We are to receive nothing for current but what is agreeable to the word. As God hath given to his ministers gifts for the interpreting obscure places, so he hath given to his people so much of the spirit of discerning, that they can tell (at least in things necessary to salvation) what is consonant to scripture, and what is not: 1 Cor. xii. 10., “ To one is given a spirit of prophecy, to another discerning of spirits." God hath endued his people with such a measure of wisdom and discretion, that they can discern between truth and error, and for your sins." judge what is sound and what is spurious: Acts xvii. 11., "The vine inspiration? Is it a book Bereans searched the scriptures made by God himself? Then

Use 2d. Is all scripture of di

this reproves : 1. The Papists, | promiseth to "sprinkle clean wawho take away part of scripture, ter upon them, and put his Spirit and so clip the king of heaven's within them," is to be found pricoin; they expunge the second marily in the Old Testament, commandment out of their cate- Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. So that chisms, because it makes against they who take away the Old Tesimages; it is usual with them, if tament, do, as Samson, pull they meet with any thing in down the pillars; they would take scripture which they dislike, away the pillars of a Christian's either they put a false gloss upon comfort.-3. It condemns the it, or, if that will not do, pretend enthusiasts, who, pretending the it is corrupted. These are like Spirit, lay aside the whole Bible: Ananias, who kept back part of they say the scripture is a dead the money, Acts v. 2. So they letter, and they live above it. keep back part of the scripture What imprudence is this? Till from the people. This is an high we are above sin, we shall not be affront to God, to deface and above scripture. Let not men obliterate any part of his word; talk of a revelation from the by this they bring themselves Spirit; suspect it to be an imposunder that premunire, Rev. xxii. ture. The Spirit of God acts 19., " If any man shall take away regularly, it works in and by the from the words of the book of word; and he that pretends to a this prophecy, God shall take new light, which is either above away his part out of the book of the word, or contrary to it, abuslife."-Is all scripture of divine eth both himself and the Spirit, inspiration ?-2. It condemns the his light is borrowed from him Antinomians, that lay aside the who transforms himself into an Old Testament as useless, and angel of light.-4. It condemns out of date; they call them Old the slighters of scripture: such Testament Christians. God hath are they, who can go whole weeks stamped a divine majesty upon and months and never read the both Testaments; and till they word. They lay it aside as rusty can shew me where God hath armour; they prefer a play or given a repeal to the Old, it stands romance before scripture, the in force. The two Testaments magnalia legis are to them minulare the two wells of salvation: ta. O how many can be looking the Antinomians would stop up their faces in a glass all the mornone of these wells,-they would ing, but their eyes begin to be dry up one of the breasts of sore, when they look upon a scripture There is much gospel Bible! Heathens die in the want in the Old Testament; the com- of scripture, and these in the forts of the gospel in the New contempt of it. They surely Testament have their rise from must needs go wrong who slight the Old. The great promise of their guide; such as lay the reins the Messiah is in the Old Testa- upon the neck of their lusts, and ment, "A virgin shall conceive never use the curbing bit of scripand bear a son." Nay, I say ture to check them, are carried more, the moral law, in some to hell, and never stop.-5. It parts of it, speaks gospel, "I am condemns the abusers of scripthe Lord thy God:" here is the ture: (1.) Who do mud and pure wine of the gospel. The poison this pure crystal fountain saint's great charter, where God with their corrupt glosses; who

it is a saying of Luther, Quos Deus vult perdere, &c. "Whom God intends to destroy, he gives them leave to play with scripture."

Use 3d. Of Exhortation. If the scripture be of divine inspiration, then be exhorted, 1. To study the scripture. It is a copy of God's will; be scripture men, bible Christians. "I adore the fulness of scripture," saith Tertullian. In the book of God are scattered many truths as so many pearls: John v. 29.," Search the

wrest scripture, 2 Pet. iii. 16. The Greek word is, they set it upon the rack; they give wrong interpretations of it, not comparing scripture with scripture: as the Antinomians pervert that scripture, Num. xxiii. 21., " He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob,"-hence they infer, God's people may take liberty in sin, because God sees no sin in them. It is true, God sees no sin in his people with an eye of revenge, but he sees it with an eye of observation. He sees not sin in them, so as to damn them; but scriptures,"-search as for a vein he sees it, so as to be angry, and severely to punish them. Did not David find it so when he I cried out of his broken bones? In like manner the Arminians wrest scripture, John v. 40., “ Ye will not come to me;" here they bring in free will. This text shews, 1. How willing God is that we should have life; 2. That sinners may do more than they do, they may improve the talents God hath given them: but it doth not prove the power of free-will, for it is contrary to that scripture, John vi. 44., "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." These therefore wring the text so hard, that they make the blood come; they do not compare scripture with scripture. (2.) Who do jest with scripture; when they are sad, they take the scripture as their lute or minstrel, to play with, and so drive away the sad spirit, as that drunkard I have read of, who having drunk off his cups, called to some of his fellows," Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." In the fear of God, take heed of this. Eusebius tells us of one, who took a piece of scripture to make a jest of, but was presently struck with a frenzy and ran mad. And,

of silver: this blessed book will fill your head with knowledge, and your heart with grace. God wrote the two tables with his own fingers; and if God took pains to write, well may we take pains to read. Apollos was mighty in the scriptures, Acts xviii. 24. The word is our magna charta for heaven; shall we be ignorant of our charter? Col. iii. 16., "Let the word of God dwell in you richly." The memory must be a table-book where the word is written. To make us read the word, consider, 1. There is majesty sparkling in every line of scripture. Take but one instance, Isa. lxiii. 1. “Who is he that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah ? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Behold here a lofty magnificent style! What angel could speak after this manner? Junius was converted by reading one verse of John; he beheld a majesty in it beyond all human rhetoric.-2. There is a melody in scripture. This is that blessed harp, which drives away sadness of spirit: hear the sounding of this harp a little, 1 Tim. i. 15., "This is a

here are the waters of the sanctuary, both to cleanse and cure. Oh, then, search the scriptures ! There's no danger in tasting this tree of knowledge; there was a penalty laid at first, that we might not taste of the tree of knowledge, Gen. ii. 17., "In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die ;" but there is no danger of plucking this tree of holy scriptures; if we do not eat of this tree of knowledge, we shall surely die. Oh, then, read the scriptures! Time may come, when the scriptures may be kept from us.

Q. How should we so search the scriptures as to find life?

faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" he took not only our flesh upon him, but our sins. And Mat. xi. 28.," Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. How sweetly doth this harp of scripture sound, what heavenly music doth it make in the ears of a distressed sinner, especially when the finger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this instrument !-3. There is divinity in scripture. It contains the marrow and quintessence of religion. The scripture is a rock of diamonds, a mystery of piety; the lips of scripture have grace poured into them. The scripture A. 1. Read the Bible with speaks of faith, self-denial, and reverence. Think every line you all the graces which, as a chain read, God is speaking to you. of pearl, adorn a Christian. The The ark wherein the law was put scripture excites to holiness; it was overlaid with pure gold, and treats of another world, it gives a was carried on bars, that the prospect of eternity. Oh then Levites might not touch it, Exod. search the scripture; make the xxv. 14. And why was this, but word familiar to you! Had I the to breed in the people reverence tongue of angels, I could not to the law?-2. Read with serisufficiently set forth the excellency ousness. It is matter of life and of scripture; it is a spiritual death; by this word you must be optic-glass, in which we behold tried; conscience and scripture God's glory; it is the tree of life, are the jury God will proceed by, -the oracle of wisdom,-the in judging of you.-3. Read the rule of manners, the heavenly word with affection. Get your seed of which the new creature is hearts quickened with the word; formed, James i. 18. "The two go to it to fetch fire, Luke xxiv. Testaments (saith Austin) are the 32., "Did not our hearts burn two breasts which every Christian within us?" Labour that the must suck, that he may get word may not only be a lamp to spiritual nourishment." The direct, but a fire to warm. Read leaves of the tree of life were for the scripture, not only as an hishealing, Rev. xxii.. 2.: so these tory, but as a love-letter sent holy leaves of scripture, like those to you from God which may affect leaves, are for the healing of our your hearts.-4. Pray that the souls. The scripture is profitable same Spirit that wrote the word for all things: if we are deserted, may assist you in the reading of here is spiced wine that cheers it; that God's Spirit would show the heavy heart; if we are pur- you the wonderful things of his sued by Satan, here is the sword love. "Go near, saith God to of the Spirit to resist him; if we Philip, join thyself to this chaare diseased with sin's leprosy, riot,' Acts viii. 29. So when

God's Spirit joins himself with | ronation, she received the Bible his chariot of the word, then it presented to her, with both her becomes effectual.

hands, and kissing it, laid it to her breast, saying, that that book had ever been her chiefest delight.

A. 3. If the scripture is of divine inspiration, believe the word. The Romans, that they might gain credit to their laws, reported that they were inspired by the gods at Rome. O give credence

4. 2. Be exhorted to prize the word written, Job xxiii. 12. David valued the word more precious than gold. What would the Martyrs have given for a leaf of the Bible! The word is the field where Christ the pearl of price is hid. In this sacred mine we dig, not for a wedge of gold, to the word! It is breathed but a weight of glory.-1. The from God's own mouth. Hence scripture is a sacred collyrium, ariseth all the profaneness of men, or eye-salve, to illuminate us: they do not believe the scripture, Prov. vi. 23., "The command- Is. liii. 1., "who hath believed ment is a lamp, and the law is our report?" Did you believe the light." The scripture is the chart glorious rewards the scripture and compass by which we sail to speaks of, would you not give the new Jerusalem.-2. The diligence to make your election scripture is a sovereign cordial in sure? Did you believe the inall distresses. What are the pro- fernal torments the scriptures mises but the water of life to re-speaks of, would not this put new fainting spirits? Is it sin you into a cold sweat, and cause troubles? There is a scripture- a trembling at heart for sin ? cordial, Ps. lxv. 3., "Iniquities But people are in part atheists; prevail against me; as for our they give but little credit to the transgressions thou shalt purge word, therefore they are so imthem away;" or, as it is in the pious, and draw such dark shaHebrew, Thou shalt cover them.' dows in their lives. Learn to Is it outward afflictions disquiet realise scripture; get your hearts thee? There is a scripture cor- wrought to a firm belief of it. dial, Ps. xci. 15., "I will be with Some think, if God should send him in trouble," not only to be- an angel from heaven, and dehold, but to uphold. Thus, as in clare his mind, then they should the ark was laid up manna, pro- rather believe him, or if he mises are laid up as manna in the should send one from the damned, ark of scripture.-3. The scrip- and preach the torments of hell ture will make us wise: wisdom all in flames, then they would is above rubies; Ps. cxix. 104., believe,-but, Luke xvi. 31., " If "By thy precepts I get under- they believe not Moses and the standing." What made Eve so prophets, neither will they be desire the tree of knowledge? persuaded though one rose from Gen. iii 6., "It was a tree to the dead." God is wise, and he make one wise." The scriptures thinks this way fittest to make teach a man to know himself; his mind known to us by writing; they discover Satan's snares and and such as shall not be convinced stratagems, 2 Cor. ii. 11., "They by the word, shall be judged by make one wise to salvation," 2 the word. The belief of the Tim. iii. 15. O then highly scripture is of high importance; prize the scriptures! I read of it is the belief of scripture that Queen Elizabeth, that at her co-will enable us to resist tempta