acknowledge the inward illumination of the spirit of God to be neceffary for the faving understanding of fuch things as are revealed in the word n; and that there are some circumftances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and focieties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observedo. VII. All things in fcripture are not alike plain in themfelves, nor alike clear unto allp; yet those things which are neceffary to be known, believed, and obferved for falvation, are fo clearly propounded and opened in fome place of fcripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due ufe of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them q. before, fo fay I now again: If any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have received, let him be accurfed. 2 Theff. ii. 2.That ye be not foon fhaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Chrift is at hand. n John vi. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they fhall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 1 Cor. ii. 9. But as it is written, Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. v.10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. v. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, fave the Spirit of man which is in him? even fo the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. v. 12. Now we have received, not the fpirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of VIII. The God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. I • 1 Cor. xi. 13. Judge in yourfelves, is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? v. 14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair it is a fhame unto him? 1 Cor. xiv. 26. How is it then, brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a pfalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying. v. 40. Let all things be done decently, and in order. VII. p 2 Pet. iii. 16. As alfo in all his epiftles, fpeaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wreft, as they do alfo the other fcriptures, unto their own destruction. VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations, being immediately infpired by God, and by his fingular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical r; fo as, in all controverfies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and interest in the fcriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search themt; therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come v, that the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner w, and, through patience T VIII. Mat. v. 18. For verily I fay unto you, Till heaven and earth pafs, one jot, or one tittle thall in no wife pafs from the law, till all be fulfilled. Ifaiah viii. 20. To the law, and to the teftimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is becaufe there is no light in them. Acts xv. 15. and to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written. John v. 39. Search the fcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. v. 46. For had ye believed Mofes, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. John v. 39. Search the fcriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which teftify of me. I Cor. xiv. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what fhall I profit you, except I fhall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophefying, or by doctrine? v. 9. So likewife you, except ye utter by the tongue words eafy to be underftood, how fhall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. v. 11. Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I fhall bo unto him that speaketh a barbarian; and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. v. 12. Even fo ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of fpiritual gifts, feek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. v. 24. But if all prophefy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. v. 27. If any man fpeak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. v. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep filence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. w Col. iii. 16. Let the word of Chrift dwell in you richly in all wifdom, teaching and admonishing one another in pfalms, and hymns, and fpiritual fongs, finging with grace in your hearts to the Lord. * Rom. patience and comfort of the fcriptures, may have hopex. IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of scripture, is the fcripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture, (which is not manifold, but one) it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly y. X. The fupreme Judge, by which all controverfies of religion are to be determined, and all degrees of councils, opinions of antient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whofe fentence we are to reft; can be no other but the Holy Spirit fpeaking in the fcripture z. CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity, THERE HERE is but one only a, living and true God b, who is * Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the fcriptures might have hope. IX. y 2 Pet. i. 20. Knowing this firft, that no prophecy of the fcripture is of any private interpretation. v. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God fpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft. Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, v. 16. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will fet it up. X. z Mat. xxii. 29. Jefus answered and faid unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. v. 31. But as touching the refurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was fpoken unto you by God, faying. infi Eph. ii, 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief corner-ftone. With Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well fpake the Holy Ghost by Efaias the prophet unto our fathers. I. Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Ifrael, the Lord our God is one Lord, I Cor. viii, 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in facrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. v. 6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom are all things, and we by him. b1 Thef. i. 9. For they themfelves fhew of us, what manner of entring in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to ferve the living and true God, Jer. infinite in being and perfectionc, a most pure fpiritd, invifible e, without body, partsf, or paffions g, immutable h, immenfe i, eternal k, incomprehenfible /, Almighty m, most wife n, Jer. x. 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King. Job. xi. 1. Canft thou by fearching find out God? canft thon find out the Almighty unto perfection? v. 8. It is as high as heaven, what can't thou do? deeper than hell, what canft thou know? v. 9. The meafure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the fea. Job xxvi. 14. Lo, these are parts of his ways, but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? d John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in fpirit and in truth. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wife God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. ƒDeut. iv. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves (for ye faw no manner of fimilitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb, out of the midst of the fire) v. 16. Left ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the fimilitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in fpirit and in truth. With Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and fee, for a fpirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye fee me have. g Acts xiv. 11. And when the people faw what Paul had done, they lift up their voices, faying in the fpeech of Lycaonia, The Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 1 v. 15. And faying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like paffions with you, and preach unto you, that ye fhould turn from thefe vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the fea, and all things that are therein. b Jam. i. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variablenefs, neither fhadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye fons of Jacob are not confumed. i1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much lefs this house that I have builded? Jer. xxiii. 23. am I a God at hand, faith the Lord, and not a God afar off? v. 24. Can any hide himself in fecret places, that I fhall not fee him? faith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth? faith the Lord. k Pfal. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadft formed the earth and the world, even from everlafting to everlafting thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invifible, the only wife God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Pfal. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unfearchable. Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and faid unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk Chap. II wifen, most holy o, most freep, most abfolute q, working all things according to the counfel of his own immutable and most righteous will r, for his own glory s; most loving t, gracious, merciful, long-fuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranfgreffion, and fin v; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him w; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments, hating all finy, and who will by walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8. And the four beafts had each of them fix wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they reft not day and night, faying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. "Rom. xvi. 26.To God only wife, be glory through Jesus Christ, for ever. Amen. • Ifa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and faid, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hofts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. (See letter m immediately foregoing.) pPfal. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he pleaseth. 9 Exod. iii. 14. And God faid unto Mofes, I AM THAT I AM: And he faid, Thus fhalt thou fay unto the children of Ifrael, I AM hath fent me unto you. ▾ Eph. i. 11. In whom alfo we have obtained an inheritance, being predeftinated according to the purpofe of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. s Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himfelf: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and thro' him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Johniv. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. v. 16. And we have known and be no lieved the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord paffed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-fuffering, and abundant in goodnefs and truth, v.7. Keeping mercy for thoufands, forgiving iniquity, and tranfgreffion, and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; vifiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. wHeb. xi. 6. But without faith it is impoffible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently feek him. x Neh. ix. 32. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy; let not all the trouble feem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priefts, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, fince the time of the kings of Affyria, unto this day. v. 33. Howbeit, thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou haft done right, but we have done wickedly. y Pfal. v. 5. The foolish fhall not ftand in thy fight: thou hateft alf work |