4. Their minds are insensibly furnished with due conceptions about God, spiritual things, themselves, and their conditions; and their memories with expressions proper and meet to be used about them in prayer or otherwise.
5. God oftentimes takes occasion herein to influence their soids with the efficacy of divine truth in particular, in the way of exhor- tation, reproof, instruction, or consolation; whereof all who attend diligently unto this duty have experience.
6. They come, by "reason of use," to have "their senses exercised to discern good and evil ; " so that if any noxious or corrupt sense of any place of the Scripture be suggested unto them, they have in readi-
CHAP. VII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 201
ness wherewith to oppose it from other places from whence they are instructed in the truth.
And many other advantages there are which men may reap from the constant reading of the Scripture; which I therefore reckon as a general means of coming to the knowledge of the mind of God therein. But this is not that which at present I especially intend. Wherefore, —
By this reading of the Scripture I mean the studying of it, in the use of means, to come to a due understanding of it in particular places ; for it is about the means of the solemn interpretation of the Scripture that we now inquire. Hereunto, I say, the general study of the whole, and in particular the places to be interpreted, is re- quired. It may seem altogether needless and impertinent to give this direction for the understanding of the mind of God in the Scrip- ture, namely, that we should read and study it to that end; for who can imagine how it should be done otherwise ? But I wish the practice of many, it may be, of the most, did not render this direc- tion necessary ; for in their design to come to the knowledge of spi- ritual things, the direct immediate study of the Scripture is that which they least of all apply themselves unto. Other writings they will read and study with diligence ; but their reading of the Scrip- ture is for the most part superficial, without that intension of mind and spirit, that use and application of means, which are necessary unto the understanding of it, as the event doth manifest. It is the immediate study of the Scripture that I intend. And hereunto I do refer,' — 1. A due consideration of the analogy of faith always to be retained; 2. A due examination of the design and scope of the place; 3. A diligent observation of antecedents and consequents; with all those general rules which are usually given as directions in the interpretation of the Scripture. This, therefore, in the diligent exercise of our minds and reasons, is the first general outward means of knowing the mind of God in the Scripture and the interpreta- tion thereof.
II. The means designed for the improvement hereof, or our pro- fitable use of it, are of three sorts: — 1. Spiritual; 2. Disciplinary ; 3. Ecclesiastical. Some instances on each head will farther clear what I intend.
First. 1. The first thing required as a spiritual means is prayer. I intend fervent and earnest prayer for the assistance of the Spirit of God revealing the mind of God, as in the whole Scripture, so in particular books and passages of it. I have proved before that this is both enjoined and commanded unto us by the practice of the prophets and apostles. And this also, by the way, invincibly proves that the due investigation of the mind of God in the Scripture is a
202 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II.
work above the utmost improvement of natural reason, with all out- ward advantages whatsoever ; for were we sufficient of ourselves, without immediate divine aid and assistance, for this work, why do we pray for them? with which argument the ancient church per- petually urged the Pelagians as to the necessity of saving grace. And it may be justly supposed that no man who professeth himself a Christian can be so forsaken of all sobriety as once to question whether this be the duty of every one who hath either desire or design to attain any real knowledge of the will of God in the Scrip- ture. But the practical neglect of this duty is the true reason why so many that are skilful enough in the disciplinary means of know- ledge are yet such strangers to the true knowledge of the mind of God. And this prayer is of two sorts : —
(1.) That which respects the teaching of the Spirit in general, whereby we labour in our prayers that he ivoidd enlighten our minds and lead us into the knowledge of the truth, according to the work before described. The importance of this grace unto our faith and obedience, the multiplied promises of God concerning it, our necessity of it from our natural weakness, ignorance, and dark- ness, should render it a principal part of our daily supplications. Especially is this incumbent on them who are called in an especial manner to " search the Scriptures" and to declare the mind of God in them unto others. And great are the advantages which a consci- entious discharge of this duty, with a due reverence of God, brings aloDg with it. Prejudices, preconceived opinions, engagements by secular advantages, false confidences, authority of men, influences from parties and societies, will be all laid level before it, at least be gradually exterminated out of the minds of men thereby. And how much the casting out of all this " old leaven" tends to prepare the mind for, and to give it a due understanding of, divine revela- tions, hath been proved before. I no way doubt but that the rise and continuance of all those enormous errors which so infest Chris- tian religion, and which many seek so sedulously to confirm from the Scripture itself, are in a great measure to be ascribed unto the corrupt affections, with the power of tradition and influences of secular advantages; which cannot firm their station in the minds of them who are constant, sincere suppliants at the throne of grace to be taught of God what is his mind and will in his word, for it in- cludes a prevailing resolution sincerely to receive what we are so instructed in, whatever effects it may have upon the inward or out- ward man. And this is the only way to preserve our souls under the influences of divine teachings and the irradiation of the Holy Spirit; without which we can neither learn nor know any thing as we ought. I suppose, therefore, this may be fixed on as a common