But it is men of another sort, and in truth of another manner of learning, than the present corrupters of the doctrines of the gospel (who, so far as I can perceive, trouble not themselves about the Scripture much one way or another), that we treat about. They are such as, in the exercise of the skill and ability under consideration, do fall in upon the Scripture itself, to make way for the advance- ment of their own conjectures, — whereof ten thousand are not of the least importance compared with the duty and necessity of preserving the sacred text inviolate, and the just and due persuasion that so it hath been preserved ; for, first, they command the vowels and ac- cents of the Hebrew text out of their way, as things wherein they are not concerned, when the use of them in any one page of the Scrip- ture is incomparably of more worth and use than all that they are or ever will be of in the church of God. And this is done on slight conjectures. And if this suffice not to make way for their designs, then letters and words themselves must be corrected, upon an un- provable supposition that the original text hath been changed or corrupted. And the boldness of some herein is grown intolerable, so that it is as likely means for the introduction and promotion of atheism as any engine the devil hath set on work in these days, wherein he is so openly engaged in that design.
There are also sundry other ways whereby this great help unto the understanding and interpretation of the Scripture may be and hath been abused ; those mentioned may suffice as instances confirming our observations. Wherefore, as substantial knowledge and skill in the originals is useful, and indeed necessary, unto him that is called unto the exposition of the Scripture, so in the use and exercise of it sundry things ought to be well considered by them who are furnished therewithal: as, — 1st. That the thing itself is no grace, nor any peculiar gift of the Holy Ghost, but a mere fruit of diligence upon a common furniture with natural abilities ; and nothing of this nature is in sacred things to be rested on or much trusted unto. 2dly. That the exercise of this skill in and about the Scripture is not in itself, as such, an especial or immediate duty. Were it so, there would be especial grace promised to fill it up and quicken it; for all gospel duties are animated by grace in their due performance, — that is, those who do so perform them have especial assistance in their so doing. But it is reduced unto the general head of duty with respect unto the end aimed at. Wherefore, 3dly. The bless- ing of God on our endeavours, succeeding and prospering of them,
CHAP. VIII.] MEANS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MIND OF GOD. 219
as in other natural and civil occasions of life, is all that we expect herein from the Holy Spirit. And, 4<thly. Sundry other things are required of us, if we hope for this blessing on just grounds. It may be some ignorant persons are so fond as to imagine that if they could understand the original languages, they must of neces- sity understand the sense of the Scripture; and there is nothing more frequent than for some, who either truly or falsely pretend a skill in them, to bear themselves high against those who perhaps are really more acquainted with the mind of the Holy Ghost in the word than themselves, as though all things were plain and obvious unto them, others knowing nothing but by them or such as they are. But this is but one means of many that is useful to this pur- pose, and that such as, if it be alone, is of little or no use at all. It is fervent prayer, humility, lowliness of mind, godly fear and reve- rence of the word, and subjection of conscience unto the authority of every tittle of it, a constant attendance unto the analogy of faith, with due dependence on the Spirit of God for supplies of light and grace, which must make this or any other means of the same nature effectual.
2. An acquaintance with the history and geography of the world and with chronology, I reckon also among disciplinarian aids in the interpretation of the Scripture; for as time is divided into what is past and what is to come, so there are sundry things in the Scrip- ture which, in all seasons, relate thereunto: for, — (1.) God hath therein given us an account of the course and order of all things (which the Jews call D?y "Hd), from the foundation of the world. And this he did for sundry important reasons, as incident with the general end of the Scripture; for hereby hath he secured the tes- timony that he hath given to his being, power, and providence, by the creation and rule of all things. The evidences in them given thereunto are those which are principally attacked by atheists. And although they do sufficiently manifest and evince their own testimony unto the common reason of mankind, yet sundry things relating unto them are so involved in darkness and inextricable circumstances as that, if all their concernments had not been plainly declared in the Scripture, the wisest of men had been at a great loss about them ; and so were they always who wanted the light and advantage hereof. But here, as he hath plainly declared the original emanation of all things from his eternal power, so hath he testified unto his constant rule over all in all times, places, ages, and seasons, by instances incon- trollable. Therein hath he treasured up all sorts of examples, with such impressions of his goodness, patience, power, wisdom, holiness, and righteousness upon them, as proclaim his almighty and righteous government of the whole universe; and in the whole he hath de-