(2.) Another end of God was, that we might have a safe rule and infallible guide for the due performance of all the duties, towards himself and one another, which he requires of us in the whole course of our obedience, 2 Tim. iii. 15-17. God hath, in infinite wisdom, treasured up in this book every thing that, either for the matter or manner of its performance, is any way necessary for us to know or do, that we may be wise unto salvation, and thoroughly furnished for every duty that he requireth at our hands. And here lies our next end. We come to the Scripture to learn these things; and nowhere else can we so learn them as to attain either assurance and peace in our souls, or so perform them as that they should be
1 In his edition of this work, Dr Wright very properly transfers the three lines which follow, from their place, in the original edition, at the close of the fifth par- ticular under the next division. We adopt his emendation, as obviously required by the subject of these lines, which have evidently a connection with the para- graph above.—Ep.
814 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IV.
acceptable unto God. This mind, therefore, ought to be in us, in all wherein we have to do with the Scriptures. We go to them, or ought so to do, to learn our own duty, to be instructed in the whole course of our obedience, in what God requires of us in particular. With this design we may go on and prosper.
(3.) God hath given us his word to guide and direct us in our ways under all dispensations of his providence, that we sin not against him, nor hurt or damage ourselves, Ps. exix. 24. The pro- vidences of God towards us, as to our course in this world, do often- times bring us into great straits and difficulties, so that we know not well how to steer our course, so as neither to sin against God, nor to prejudice or ruin ourselves without just and cogent reasons. God hath given us his word to counsel us in this matter; and by a diligent attendance unto it we shall not fail of blessed guidance and directions. Here we ought to seek it; and here we may find it, if we seek in a due manner.
(4.) The Scriptures are given us of God to administer unto us consolations and hope in all our distresses and tribulations, Rom xv. 4; Ps, cxix. 92. In them hath God graciously treasured up what- ever is useful or needful to this purpose. Whatever be our dis- tresses, fears, disconsolations, as to what hath, doth, or may befall us in this world, God hath designed a relief under it and against it in his word. That we may be always furnished with this blessed and precious provision, ought to be one end also that we aim at in our considerations of it.
(5.) God hath done this, that he might give us infallible assur- ance of eternal life when we shall be here no more, with some pro- spect into the glories of it and foretastes of its sweetness, 2 Tim. i. 10. This as we stand in need of, so the constant fixing of our eye upon it as our utmost end, will be a safe and blessed guidance unto us in our whole course. These are the ends of God in giving us his word, and these ought to be ours continually in our search into it; and the want hereof, whilst some have indulged their fancies in the pursuit of unuseful notions and speculations, hath caused them to err from the truth.
4, They that would search the Scriptures to find out the sacred truths that lie hid in them, ought to take care that they entertain no corrupt lusts in their hearts or minds; which will certainly refuse to give admittance unto spiritual truth when it is tendered unto them. Hence is that advice of the apostle James, chap. i. 21. They that will “receive the word” so as to have it an “ ingrafted word,” to effect in them the work and end whereunto it is designed, must “cast out all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness.” Fleshly and corrupt lusts indulged unto in the hearts and minds of men will make their most industrious search into the Scripture of no ad-
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vantage to themselves. Love of sin will make all study of the Scripture to be mere lost labour. Hearts pure and undefiled, minds serene and heavenly, so far as by the grace of God we can attain to them, are required to this work. And it ought to be one great motive unto an endeavour after them, that we may be the more able to discern the mind of God in his word.
5. Sedulity and constancy in this duty are great helps to a pro- fitable discharge of it. When men read the word but seldom, so that the things of it are strange to them, or not familiar with them, they will be continually at a loss in what they are about. This is that which the wise man directs us unto, Prov. vii. 1-4. Constant reading and meditation on the word will create a familiarity be- tween our minds and it, when occasional diversions only unto it will make an estrangedness between them. Hence our apostle com- mends it in his Timothy, that “from a child he had known the holy Scriptures,” 2 Tim. iii. 15; whereby being made familiar unto him, he was much assisted in the right understanding and use of them. And there is not any thing in our walking before God that is more ac- ceptable unto him. For this expresseth somewhat of that reverence which we ought to have of the greatness and holiness of Him with whom we have to do. The Jews’ frontispiece to their great Bible is that saying of Jacob upon the vision of God that he had at Bethel, “ How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” So ought we to look upon the word, with a holy awe and reverence of the presence of God in it. Our faith and dependence on him, with our valuation of the know- ledge of his mind and will, are hereby expressed ; and hereby also do we give glory to him.