2. In the writing and composing of the holy Scripture, the Spirit of God had respect unto the various states and conditions of the church. It was not given for the use of one age or season only, but for all generations, — for a guide in faith and obedience from the be- ginning of the world to the end of it. And the state of the church was not always to be the same, neither in light, knowledge, nor worship. God had so disposed of things in the eternal counsel of his will that it should be carried on by various degrees of divine re- velation unto its perfect estate. Hereunto is the revelation of his mind in the Scripture subservient and suited, Heb. LI. If all divine truths had from the first been stated and fixed in a system of doc- trines, the state of the church must have been always the same ; which was contrary unto the whole design of divine wisdom in those things.
3. Such a systematical proposal of doctrines, truths, or articles of faith, as some require, would not have answered the great ends of the Scripture itself. All that can be supposed of benefit thereby is only that it would lead us more easily into a methodical comprehension of the truths so proposed ; but this we may attain, and not be ren- dered one jot more like unto God thereby. The principal end of
190 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II.
the Scripture is of another nature. It is, to beget in the minds of men faith, fear, obedience, and reverence of God, — to make them holy and righteous; and those such as have in themselves various weaknesses, temptations, and inclinations unto the contrary, which must be obviated and subdued. Unto this end every truth is dis- posed of in the Scripture as it ought to be. If any expect that the Scripture should be written with respect unto opinions, notions, and speculations, to render men skilful and cunning in them, able to talk and dispute about all things and nothing, they are mistaken. It is given us to make us humble, holy, luise in spiritual things; to direct us in our duties, to relieve us against temptations, to comfort us under troubles, to make us to love God and to live unto him, in all that variety of circumstances, occasions, temptations, trials, duties, which in this world we are called unto. Unto this end there is a more glorious power and efficacy in one epistle, one psalm, one chap- ter, than in all the writings of men, though they have their use also. He that hath not experience hereof is a stranger unto the power of God in the Scripture. Sometimes the design and scope of the place, sometimes the circumstances related unto, mostly that spirit of wis- dom and holiness which evidenceth itself in the whole, do effectually influence our minds; yea, sometimes an occasional passage in a story, a word or expression, shall contribute more to excite faith and love in our souls than a volume of learned disputations. It doth not argue, syllogize, or allure the mind; but it enlightens, persuades, constrains the soul unto faith and obedience. This it is prepared for and suited unto.
4. The disposition of divine revelations in the Scripture is also sub- servient unto other ends of the wisdom of God towards the church. Some of them may be named : —
(1.) To render useful and necessary the great ordinance of the ministry. God hath not designed to instruct and save his church by any one outward ordinance only. The ways and means of doing good unto us, so as that all may issue in his own eternal glory, are known unto infinite wisdom only. The institution of the whole series and complex of divine ordinances is no otherwise to be accounted for but by a regard and submission thereunto. Who can deny but that God might both have instructed, sanctified, and saved us, without the use of some or all of those institutions which he hath obliged us unto ? His infinitely wise will is the only reason of these things. And he will have every one of his appointments, on which he hath put his name, to be honoured. Such is the ministry. A means this is not co-ordinate with the Scripture, but subservient unto it; and the great end of it is, that those who are called thereunto, and are furnished with gifts for the discharge of it, might diligently " search the Scrip-
CHAP. VI.] THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN THE COMPOSING OF SCRIPTURE. 191
tures," and teach others the mind of God revealed therein. It was,
1 say, the will of God that the church should ordinarily be always under the conduct of such a ministry; and his will it is that those who are called thereunto should be furnished with peculiar spiritual gifts, for the finding out and declaration of the truths that are trea- sured up in the Scripture, unto all the ends of divine revelation. See Eph. iv. 11-16; 2 Tim. hi. 14-17. The Scripture, therefore, is such a revelation as doth suppose and make necessary this ordinance of the ministry, wherein and whereby God will also be glorified. And it were well if the nature and duties of this office were better under- stood than they seem to be. God hath accommodated the revela- tion of himself in the Scripture with respect unto them; and those by whom the due discharge of this office is despised or neglected do sin greatly against the authority, wisdom, and love of God ; and those do no less by whom it is assumed but not rightly understood or not duly improved.