and fear the threatenings, contained in his gospel. Those that are in publick office, ought to be diligent in their duty, that justice may not be violated. Those that are appointed ministers of the word, should have a zeal to purge out all filthiness and pollution from among the people."

We should so examine and cleanse ourselves, that when we receive the supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may be more and more confirmed in his grace; that we may be ingrafted into his body, and be truly made one with him; that all the promises we perceive in the gospel, may be better confirmed in us. We must know that he is our life, and that we live in him, as he dwelleth in us: and thus we know that God owneth and taketh us for his children. Therefore, we should be the more earnest to call upon him, and trust in his goodness, that he may so govern us by his holy spirit, that poor ignorant creatures may through our example be brought into the right way. For we see many at this day, who are in the way to destruction. May we attend to what God hath enjoined upon us, that he would be pleased to show his grace, not only to one city or a little handful of people, but that he would reign over all the world; that every one may serve and worship him in spirit and in truth.

SERMON IX.

2 TIMOTHY, Chap. iii. verses 16 and 17.

16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

THE word of God being called our spiritual sword, there is need of our being armed with it: for in this

world the devil continually fighteth against us, endeavouring to deceive, and draw us into sin. Therefore, St. Paul saith, the word of God deserveth such reverence, that we ought to submit ourselves to it without gainsaying. He likewise informeth us what profit we receive from it; which is another reason why we should embrace it with reverence and obedience. There have been some fantastical men at all times, who would wish to bring the holy scripture into doubt; although they were ashamed to deny that the word of God ought to be received without contradiction. There have always been wicked men, who have frankly confessed that the word of God hath such a majesty in it, that all the world ought to bow before it; and yet they continue to blaspheme and speak evil against God.

Where is the word of God to be found, unless we see it in the law, and in the prophets, and in the gospel? There it is that God hath set forth his mind to us. To the end, therefore, that men may not excuse themselves, St. Paul plainly showeth us, that if we will do homage to God, and live in subjection to him, we must receive that which is contained in the law and the prophets. And that no man might take the liberty to choose what he pleaseth, and so obey God in part, he saith, the whole scripture hath this majesty of which he speaketh, and that it is all profitable. To be short, St. Paul informeth us, that we must not pick and cull the scripture to please our own fancy, but must receive the whole without exception. Thus we see what St. Paul's meaning is in this place; for when he speaketh of the holy scripture, he doth not mean that which he was then writing, neither that of the other apostles and evangelists, but the Old Testament.

Thus we perceive that his mind was, that the law and the prophets should always be preached in the church of Christ; for it is a doctrine that must, and

will, remain forever. Therefore, those that would have the law laid aside, and never spoken of again, are not to be regarded. They have made it a common proverb in their synagogues and taverns, saying, we need neither the law nor the prophets any more :" and this is as common a thing among them, as among the Turks.

But St. Paul bridleth the christian, and telleth us, that if we will prove our faith and obedience toward God, the law and the prophets must reign over us; we must regulate our lives by them; we must know that it is an abiding and an immortal truth; not flitting nor changeable; for God gave not a temporal doctrine to serve but for a season, for his mind was, that it should be in force in these days; and that the world should sooner perish, and heaven and earth decay, than the authority thereof to fail. Thus we see St. Paul's meaning is, that we should suffer ourselves to be governed by the holy scripture, and seek for wisdom no where else.

ture.

We must observe, (as hath already been said,) that he giveth us no liberty to choose what we list, but he will have us to be obedient to God in all respects, approving what is contained in the holy scripNow let us notice the two points which are here set forth. He saith first, All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and then addeth, and is profitable. These remarks St. Paul maketh upon the holy scripture, to induce us to love it, and to show that it is worthy to be received with great humility. When he saith it is given by the inspiration of God, it is to the end that no mortal man should endeavour to control his almighty power. Shall miserable creatures make war against God, and refuse to accept the holy scripture? What is the cause of this? It is not forged by men, (saith St. Paul,) there is no earthly thing in it.

Whosoever will not show himself a rebel against

God, and set him at nought, must submit himself to the holy scripture. St. Paul addeth in the second place, besides the reverence which we owe to God by doing him homage, we must confess, moreover, that he sought our profit and salvation, when it pleased him to teach us by the holy scripture: for he will not have us busy ourselves with unprofitable things. Therefore, if we be diligent in reading the holy scripture, we shall perceive that there is nothing contained in it, but what is good and fit for us, from which we may obtain some benefit.

How unthankful we are, if we accept not the blessings which God offereth so freely! After St. Paul had magnified the holy scripture, showing that the majesty of God appeareth in it, he would also give us some taste, that we might come to it with an affection and desire to profit thereby ; knowing that it was God's design, and the end he aimed at. Let us always remember that the holy scripture will never be of any service to us, unless we be persuaded that God is the author of it. When we read Moses, or any of the prophets, as the history of mortal men, do we feel a liveliness of the spirit of God inflaming us? No, no; it is far from it.

Therefore the holy scripture will be lifeless, and without force, until we know it is God that speaketh in it, and thereby revealeth his will to man; for St. Paul saith, the holy scripture is given by inspiration of God. The pope will boast, that all he hath put forth, is from God: thus we see, that by using the name of God for a cloak and covering, the world hath been deceived, and kept in ignorance from the beginning. For there never was any poison of false doctrine, but that it was put into a golden cup; that is to say, was hid under this honourable title; that God spake to man.

If we are content to be governed by the will of God, our faith will be rightly sealed; so that we may

perceive that it is not the illusion of satan, neither a fable invented by men; I mean those things contained in the holy scripture, which were spoken by God, who is the author of them. Let us consider the infinite goodness of our God, in that it hath pleased him to seal up his truth in our hearts, and cause us to feel the virtue of it; while unbelievers are left in their ignorance, to despise the authority of the holy scripture.

We may gather from what St. Paul saith, that there is no authority in the church of God, but what is received from him. If then we admit of a doctrine, it must not be borrowed from the authority or wisdom of men, but we must know that it came from God. This is a notable point; for God will prove thereby whether we be his people or not. He is our king indeed, because we have no laws nor ordinances except from him; our souls are not guided by chance, for he ruleth over us, and we are subject to his yoke. If this be not the case, we do not show that God governs us, though we make ever so formal pretensions; they are but false shows.

St. Paul doth not inform us, in order to prove the holy scripture to be an undoubted truth, that Moses was an excellent man; he doth not say that Isaiah was very eloquent; he declareth nothing of them whereby he may raise the credit of their persons; but he saith, they were instruments in the hands of God: their tongues were guided by the Holy Ghost they spake nothing of their own, but it was God that spake by them. We must not consider them as uninspired men, but as servants of the living God; as faithful stewards of the treasures committed to them.

If these things had been observed, men would not have come into such horrible confusion, as the papists are at this day. For upon what is their faith grounded, except upon men? There is nothing but