to command it when we will CAP. X. Of reverend Attention and heedfull Observation in reading the Scriptures First such Preparation to the reading of the Scriptures as we have before prescribed cannot but dispose the heart to heedfull attention consisting in the uniting of the thoughts together Attention consists in the uniting and fixing the thoughts upon what we read and bending and fixing them upon that which is read To this attention men are often stirred up when they are to heare God speak unto them as Psalme 49.1 Thus the people of Israel when they were to receive the Law in mount Sinai were first prepared unto attention by the sound of a Trumpet This attention we may be moved unto by considering the person that speakes and the nature of that which is spoken The authority and wisdome of him that speaks requires great attention of him that reads or hears Gods Word Required 1. From the authority and wisdome of him that speakes A child must hear his Father Prov. 4.1 A subject must attend reverently to the words of a Ruler Iob 29.21 Yet none of them is our potter as God is Isa 63.4 or made us as he did Ps 100.3 nor consequently can challenge such respect from us as he may Gods people must heare because it is God that speakes Exod. 20.1 Psalme 50.7 and 81.7 Besides the wisdome of God requires our diligent attention as it is required upon that ground Psalme 49.2 3. now it is Christ that speaks in his Word who is the wisdome of his Father 1 Cor. 1.24 in whom are hidden the treasures of wisdome Col. 2.3 Again 2. From the Subject which the Scriptures handle the Matter or Subject which is handled in the Scriptures requires of us great attention not only for the weight and importance of those high mysteries which are therein revealed But besides that for the great interest which we our selves have in those things which we find in that sacred volume as being directed unto us 1. Weighty and mysterious 2. Neerly concerning us and written for our instruction Rom. 154. containing our evidences and the title that we have to eternall life John 5.39 the lawes and directions which we and our children must observe that we may doe them Deut. 29.29 especially seeing all those things concern us in the highest degree yea much more neerly then our estates liberty peace nay then our lives themselves So that we have great reason to attend diligently to every tittle written in this book much more heedfully then Benhadads Messengers did to the words of Ahab 1 Kings 20.33 Besides In attention mark both the matters expressions our heedfull attention to the Matter or Substance of that which we read in the Scriptures we must take speciall notice of the phrase wherein it is expressed Partly because many of the phrases used in that book are not vulgar or of ordinary use Some of them unusual and therefore not so easily understood unless they be carefully observed Thus S. Peter tells us of many things in S. Pauls Epistles hard to be understood 2 Pet. 3.16 Partly because the Scriptures themselves being as they are very copious and full of matter as David tels us the Law is exceeding broad Psalme 119.96 are oftentimes brief and short in the Phrases and expressions whence it must needs follow Most of them brief and of large signification that the words must needs be of large signification so that if they be not well observed much of the matter contained in them may easily be lost Unto this Attention must be joyned judicious Observation Unto attention adde observation of speciall passages which is nothing else but the fixing and staying of the mind upon some speciall passage where we find things represented unto us either more weighty in themselves or else more proper to our selves for our particular use and occasions It is true that all Gods Testimonies are wonderfull in themselves Weighty in themselvs or more proper to us Psalme 119.129 all of them pure verse 140. righteous concerning all things verse 128. yea all of them are profitable to give understanding Psal 119.130 to cleanse ones waies verse 9. to convert the soule Psalme 19.7 to make the man of God perfect to every good work 2 Tim. 3.16 yet there are some things in Scripture more important then others and some more usefull then others for some persons times and occasions Together with Attention Observation A third duty Approbation and affent to what we read there must necessarily be joyned Approbation of every truth revealed in the Scriptures such as we find in holy David Psalme 119.128 not onely because Gods Law is the truth verse 142. and therefore must be approved by us 1. Because it is the truth of God 2. Because till our judgment approve it we canuot beleeve it that came therefore into the world that we might bear witness to the truth as our Saviour speakes of himself Iohn 18.37 without which God hath no honour by us at all seeing it is the receiving of his testimony by us by which we seal to his truth Ioh. 3.33 But besides because we can neither believe that which we approve not in our judgment nor possibly bring our hearts to yeeld unto it true and sincere obedience This assent which we give unto Gods Word This assent is not forced only voluntary but necessary in approving whatsoever it presents unto us is neither forced nor onely voluntary but rather necessary as is the judgment of sense For when the eye judgeth of colours or the taste of meates it is not in the power of either of these senses to judge otherwise of them then they appeare to the sense that apprehends them This approbation of those severall truths which are contained therein is an acknowledgment that they are not only righteous and true Psal 119.137 138. with the Psalmist but withall with the Apostle that they are good Rom. 7.16 as also the Prophet acknowledgeth Psal 139.19 which is the onely meanes to bring our hearts to love and delight in them which indeed is the fullest testimony that we can give to the perfection purity and excellency of them every way Psal 119.96.140 It is true that every godly man at all times gives his assent to every truth of God revealed unto him but the help of that Anointing which abideth in him and teacheth him all things Neither is alike firme at all times because the evidence by which it is discovered is not alike cleare at all times 1 Iohn 2.27 Notwithstanding that assent is not alike firme at all times because the evidence by which he acknowledgeth it is not alike cleare at all times but is sometimes obscure like the twilight at other times full and perspicuous as the sunne is shining in his strength Such a full closing of our hearts with every particular truth which we meet with in reading Gods Word we
Cap. 5. That the Scriptures containe all things necessary to salvation Pag. 63 Cap. 6. Of the scope of the Scriptures which is Gods Glory and mans Salvation Pag. 70 Cap. 7. That they which read the Scriptures must be men of spirituall mindes Pag. 76 Sect. 1. The description of a spirituall man Pag. 78 Sect. 2. Of the spirituall mans operations Pag. 86 Sect. 3. Of Faith and the two sorts of Faith Historicall and Iustifying Pag. 90 Sect. 4. Of Spirituall experience other meanes of comprehending things spirituall Pag. 115 Cap. 8 Of the choice of fit times for reading the Scriptures Pag. 125 Cap. 9. Of particular preparation before reading Pag. 133 Cap. 10. Of reverend attention and heedfull observation in reading the Scriptures Pag. 141 Cap. 11. Of duties after reading the Scriptures especially Meditation and Prayer Pag. 149 Cap. 12. Directions for the right interpretation of the Scriptures Pag. 160 Cap. 13. Directions for raising observations out of the Scriptures for our owne instruction and edification Pag. 169 Sect. 1. Of the Subject matters handled in the Scripture and first of workes Pag. 172 Sect. 2. Of the Laws given by God to his Church and recorded in Scripture Pag. 197 Concerning the Morality of the fourth Commandement Sect. I. That the Law of the Sabbath in the fourth Commandement is Morall and therefore perpetuall Pag. 213 Sect. II. Answer to the Arguments against the institution of the Sabbath in Paradise Pag. 133 Sect. III. The morality and perpetuity of the Sabbath proved out of the fourth Commandement Pag. 253 Sect. IV A continuation of the consideration of the rest of the Laws recorded in the Scripture with such instructions as may be drawn from them Pag. 300 DIRECTIONS FOR THE PROFITABLE Reading of the Scriptures CAP. I. Of the necessity of preparation thereunto THat the reading of the Scriptures is nothing else but a kind of holy conference with God Preparation in the reading of the Scriptures wherein we enquire after and he reveals unto us himself and his will we shall manifest more fully hereafter when we shall shew that these holy writings are the Word of God himself who speaks unto us in and by them 1. Inforced 1 t Frō the presence of God with whom we confer in reading Wherefore when we take in hand the Book of the Scriptures we cannot otherwise conceive of our selves then as standing in Gods presence to hear what he will say unto us So much the Prophet seems to imply Psal 73.17 when he expresseth his consulting with Gods Word by that phrase of going into the Sanctuary of God for there indeed was Gods Word kept that is going in unto God as going into the Sanctuary is tearmed 2 Sam. 7.18 these kinds of expression seem to imply that when we betake our selves to the reading of the Scriptures we come in unto God or stand in his presence to enquire at his mouth Now with what reverence it becomes us to stand in Gods presence Requiring therefore of us due reverence in performing that duty 1. From the Majesty of God appears not onely by Jacobs fear after he knew God was in the place where he lay Gen. 28.16 17. but farther by the caveat given by Solomon to take heed to our feet when we enter into Gods house Eccles 5.1 and that upon a double ground partly because God is in heaven ver 2. that is high and full of Majesty and consequently to be attended with reverence 2. From the sense of our defilements and inabilities and fear and partly because we have shooes on our feet which God warns Moses to put off Exod. 3.5 when he stood in his presence that is to speak in S. James his phrase we have filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse in our hearts which must be laid aside that when we come unto God to be taught by him we may receive his word with meeknesse James 1.21 So that both the Majesty and Holinesse of God whose eyes are purer then to behold evill Hab. 1.13 and the corruptions and defilements of our own hearts necessarily require an heedfull 2ly Frō the inconveniences that follow neglect of such preparation and carefull preparation of our selves before we enter into Gods presence to enquire at his mouth and look into his word The necessity of this preparation when we read the Scriptures will be yet more evident if we observe the ill consequents which follow the neglect of this duty in such persons as either wholly or too often omit it who boldly entring into Gods presence 1 Unfruitfulnesse in our selves and handling the holy things of God with unwashen hands that is reading his word with unsanctified and unprepared hearts as they come unto the work without due reverence so they return for the most part without fruit 2 Discredit of the word it self and by that means bring up an ill report upon the sacred ordinance of God as if it were a dead letter without any quickning power at all unsavoury food without nourishment unfruitfull seed that yeelds no encrease Secondly 3 Discouragement to others by the same means they weaken the hearts of such as might be encouraged to undertake this holy exercise from the use whereof they are much deterred when they observe some of those that are frequent in the practise of this duty remain still ignorant unfruitfull dead-hearted and disconsolate And lastly 4 Discomfort to our selves they occasion discomfort to themselves when notwithstanding the use of this means they finde themselves ever learning and never come to the knowledge of the truth remaining still either in ignorance or in disobedience of heart at least in much deadnesse of spirit without zeal life or activity in holy duties Thus we cannot but observe with grief of heart an exercise in it self every way usefull fruitfull and comfortable if it be duly and conscionably performed by the neglect of carefull preparation become not onely unfruitfull and unprofitable but besides by necessary consequent unpleasant distastefull and burthensome to those that use it To manifest the necessity of due preparation in reading the Scriptures much more might be spoken and many more ill consequents might be observed that are occasioned by the neglect thereof But the considerations already mentioned are sufficient to evince the usefulnesse and necessity of such a preparation Taking that therefore for granted that this duty of preparation when we undertake the reading of holy Scriptures must be performed our next work must be to give directions for the manner and order how the Readers heart must be fitted to the performance of this task which cannot well be done without taking knowledge of the nature of that word which is to be read and of the end and scope at which it aims That the observation of the nature of Gods word which we read 2 Directed by considering 1. the nature of the Scriptures may much farther us in this duty of preparation to the reading
wholly that way when he caused it to be written he caused it to bee written wholly not only the Morall but the Judiciall and Ceremoniall too containing many observances of small value tearmed beggerly rudiments Gal. 4.9 So that he left not out the least circumstance of any legall rites to be supplyed by tradition Is now Christ lesse faithfull in Gods house then Moses was Or how is it that in this clear light of the Gospel we should be left more uncertain then the Jews were under the law and that in matters of greatest importance Purgatory the Popes Supremacy Invocation of Saints c. The truth is when men put no stint to their traditions nor give us any accompt of the number of them they give cause of suspition that they have purposely left open this back door to conveigh into the Church those humane inventions of theirs under the cloake of the Traditions of the Church which otherwise the expresse letter of the written word had excluded But we resolve to forbear controversies Onely to quicken men to a more heedfull attention to the Scriptures it was needfull to shew not only that the most weighty things that concern us far more neerly then our Lands and Revenues then our libertie or lives even our evidences for and directions to everlasting blessednesse are to be found in the Scriptures but more then that to make it appear that they are to bee found in no other books or writings Whence it must needs follow that without this word having neither firm ground to stay our faith on nor any certain rule to guide our practise by we are in this left without light without comfort for the present and without hope or expectation for time to come CAP. VI. Of the scope and end of the Scriptures which is Gods glory and mans salvation THat the honour of God which is the principall end of all his workes The first end of the Scriptures is Gods honour Prov. 16.4 should likewise be the main scope of his word is agreeable to all reason and that it is so the Scriptures themselves witnesse They testifie of Christ Iohn 5.39 that God was in him reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5.19 and thereby magnifying the riches of his grace in his kindnesse towards us through Christ Ephes 2.7 and that to the praise of his glorious grace Ephes 1.6 They witnesse the Creation of the world by the word of his power and the administration of it in righteousnesse even to this day so that whatsoever Gods works witnesse of him his Majesty Greatnesse Goodnesse Compassion c. Psal 145.5 6 7 8. that his word sets out more fully and clearly and by the same means furthers our salvation by setting out the power holinesse goodnesse and justice of God moving us to fear and trust in him Psal 78.6 7. that he may bring upon us all the good that he hath spoken Gen. 18.19 How the glory of God is manifested and consequently advanced by and in the Scriptures will best appeare by particular instances Manifested in the Scriptures 1 t By describing his Nature The first evidences for God therein are the direct testimonies which are given of him describing the excellency of his nature Exod. 34.6 7. or ascribing to him some of his glorious Attributes as Isa 6.3 or admiring his wonderfull works as his servants doe Psal 104.1 that he is righteous and holy in them all Psal 145.17 as all the world acknowledgeth Psal 64.9 yea wicked men themselves Judges 1.7 nay the very Devils Mark 1.24 whose testimonies being as they are Gods professed enemies when they are for him must needs much advance his honour see Deut. 32.31 The next of the most pregnant testimonies for God whereby his honour is advanced which we finde in Scriptures are his Laws 2ly Delivering his Laws with the sanctions annexed thereunto wherein God is pleased to reveal his minde fully unto us and to give us as it were a perfect mirrour of the thoughts of his heart for whosoever in reading these Laws findes them very pure Psal 119.140 righteous and very faithfull ver 138. all of them right concerning all things ver 128. perfect every way Psal 19.7 must of necessity conclude that seeing all the streams that flow so immediatly from God savour of so much purity and perfection the fountain whence they flow which is himself must needs be more pure so that he must be a God of truth without iniquity just and right Deut. 32.4 The third cloud of witnesses 3ly By recording his Works 1. Of Creation 2. Of Providence 1. In Preserving by which Gods honour is advanced in the Scriptures are his works both of Creation and of Providence Creation for the Heavens declare the glory of God Psal 19.1 the invisible things of him being seen from the Creation Rom. 1.20 His power and wisdome in framing and supporting his faithfulnesse and mercy in preserving and providing for all that his hand hath made see Psal 33.3 4 5 6. 145.15 2. Governing wherin are discovered 1. His Truth 2. His Justice and Holinesse 16. Nay in that part of his Providence which concerns the government of all his works more especially his truth in performing all his promises justice and holinesse in rewarding every man according to his works Job 34.11 so that it shall be well with the righteous Psal 58.11 and ill with the wicked Isa 3.10 11. though brutish men understand it not Psal 92.6 as the prudent doe Hos 14.9 are so clearly set out in the Scriptures as David found Psal 73.17 that he which beholds his ways and works in them must confesse that they all praise him Psal 145.10 It is true that these works and ways of God These works of God are not clearly discovered but by the light of the Word without the light of the word doe set forth the glory of him that made them as a curious piece of work shews the skill of him that formed it But to a blinde man who hath no eyes and to him who having eyes wants light to discover the form of it neither the exactnesse of the work it self nor the skill of him that made it appear Whereas therefore men in themselves are as it were in the twilight when they bring their naturall reason to judge of Gods ways and works the word of God sets them out in a clearer light by discovering unto men not onely the workes themselves but withall the rules according to which they are wrought and end at which they aim as that the wicked are raised up aloft that they may be cast down into destruction Psalm 73.18 and flourish that they may be destroyed for ever Psal 52.7 a consideration that clears Gods justice in this particular and thereby much advanceth his honour To advance the honour of God yet farther 4ly Discovering the weaknesse of the creature the Scriptures discover unto us the weaknesse and insufficiency of the creatures that