scripture: (1.) Who do mud and poison this pure crystal fountain with their cor- rupt glosses ; wlio 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 scrip- ture: as the Antinomians pervert that scrip- ture. 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 he sees it, so as to be angry, and se- verely to punish them. Did not David find it so, when he cried out of his broken bones? In like manner the Arminians wrest scrip- ture, John V. 40., " Ye will not come to me;" here they bi'ing 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 Fa- ther which hath sent me draw him." These therefore wring the text so hard, as 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 di'ive away the sad spi- rit, as that di'unkard I have read of, who liaving di'unk 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, it is a saying of Lu- ther, Qiios Deus vidt 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 Chris- tians. " I adore the fulness of scripture," saith TertuUian. In the book of God are Bcatteied many truths as so many pearls : John v. 39., " Search the scriptures,"—
search as for a vein 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 scrip- tures. Acts, xviii. 24. The word is our magna charta for heaven ; shall we be ig- norant 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. lliere is majesty sparkling in every line of scripture. Take but one in- stance, Isa. Ixiii. 1., " Who is this that Cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah ? This that is glorious in his apparel, ti'avelling in the greatness of his strength .'* I that speak in rigliteousuess, mighty to save." Behold here a lofty mag- nificent style ! What angel could sj)eak after tliis 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. I'his is that blessed harp, which di'ives away sad- ness of spirit : hear the sounding of this harp a little, 1 Tim. i. 15., " This is a faith- ful 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 la- den, and I will give you rest." How sweet- ly doth this harp of scripture sound, what heavenly music doth it make in the ears of a distressed sinner, especially when the fin- ger of God's Spirit toucheth upon this in- strument ! — 3. There is divinity in scrip- lure. It contains the marrow and quintes- sence of religion. The scripture is a rock of diamonds, a mystery of piety ; the lips of scripture have grace poured into them. The scripture speaks of faith, self-denial, and all the graces which, as a chain of pearl adorn a Christian. The scripture excites to holiness ; it treats of another world, it gives a prospect of eternity. Oh then search the scripture; make the word familiar to you ! Had I the tongue of angels, I could not sufficiently set forth the excellency of scripture; it is a spiritual optic-glass, in which we behold God's glory ; it is the tre«
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OF THE SCRIPTURES.