This skill and knowledge, therefore, is of great use unto them who are called unto the interpretation of the Scripture ; and the church of God hath had no small advantage by the endeavours of men learned herein, who have exercised it in the exposition of the words and phraseology of the Scriptures, as compared with their use in other authors. But yet, as was before observed, this skill, and the exer- cise of it in the way mentioned, is no duty in itself, nor enjoined unto any for its own sake, but only hath a goodness in it with respect unto a certain end. Wherefore, it is in its own nature indifferent, and in its utmost improvement capable of abuse, and such in late days it hath fallen under unto a great extremity ; for the study of the original languages, and the exercise of skill in them in the in- terpretation of the Scripture, hath been of great reputation, and that deservedly. Hence multitudes of learned men have engaged them- selves in that work and study, and the number of annotations and comments on the Scripture, consisting principally in critical obser- vations, as they are called, have been greatly increased; and they are utter strangers unto these things who will not allow that many of them are of singular use. But withal this skill and faculty, where it hath been unaccompanied with that humility, sobriety, reverence of the Author of the Scripture, and respect unto the analogy of faith, which ought to bear sway in the minds of all men who undertake to expound the oracles of Qod, may be, and hath been, greatly abused, unto the hurt of its owners and disadvantage of the church. For, — [1.] By some it hath been turned into the fuel of pride, and a noisome elation of mind; yea, experience shows that this kind of knowledge, where it is supposed signal, is of all others the most apt to puff up and swell the vain minds of men, unless it be where it is alloyed with a singular modesty of nature, or the mind itself be suffi-
CHAP. VIII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 217
ciently corrected and changed by grace. Hence the expressions of pride and self-conceit which some have broken forth into on an ima- gination of their skill and faculty in criticising on the Scriptures have been ridiculous and impious. The Holy Ghost usually teacheth not such persons, neither should I expect to learn much from them relat- ing unto the truth as it is in Jesus. But yet the stones they dig may be made use of by a skilful builder.
[2.] In many it hath been accompanied with a noxious, profane curiosity. Every tittle and apex shall give them occasion for fruit- less conjectures, as vain, for the most part, as those of the cabalistical Jews. And this humour hath filled us with needless and futilous ob- servations; which, beyond an ostentation of the learning of their authors (indeed, the utmost end whereunto they are designed), are of no use nor consideration. But this is not all: some men from hence have been prompted unto a boldness in adventuring to cor- rupt the text itself, or the plain sense of it; for what else is done when men, for an ostentation of their skill, will produce quotations out of learned authors to illustrate or expound sayings in the Scrip- ture, wherein there seems to be some kind of compliance in words and sounds, when their senses are adverse and contrary? Amongst a thousand instances which might be given to exemplify this folly and confidence, we need take that one alone of him who, to explain or illustrate that saying of Hezekiah, " Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken, for there shall be peace and truth in my days," Isa. XXxix. 8, subjoins, 'E/jbou ^avovrog yaTa jAiy^Qrjrw Tvpt' so comparing that holy man's submission and satisfaction in the peace of the church and truth with the blasphemous imprecation of an impious wretch for confusion on the world when once he should be got out of it. And such notable sayings are many of our late critics farced withal.
And the confidence of some hath fallen into greater excesses, and hath swelled over these bounds also. To countenance their conjec- tures and self-pleasing imaginations, from whence they expect no small reputation for skill and learning, they fall in upon the text itself. And, indeed, we are come into an age wherein many seem to judge that they can neither sufficiently value themselves, nor obtain an estimation in the world, without some bold sallies of curiosity or novelty into the vitals of religion, with reflection of contempt and scorn on all that are otherwise minded, as persons incapable of com- prehending their attainments. Hence it is that amongst ourselves we have scarce any thing left unattached in the doctrine of the re- formed churches and of that in England, as in former days. Neither shall he be with many esteemed a man either of parts, learning, or judgment, who hath not some new curious opinion or speculation,
218 CAUSES, WAYS, AND MEANS, ETC. [BOOK VI., PART II.
differing from what hath been formerly commonly taught and re- ceived, although the universality of these renowned notions among us are but corrupt emanations from Socinianism or Arminianism on the one hand, or from Popery on the other.