[1.] When we are to prove and confirm the truth against them. So it is said of Apollos, that “he mightily convinced the Jews, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ,” Acts xviii. 28. But how was he able so to do? Because he himself was “ mighty in the Scriptures,” verse 24; that is, he was ready and skilful in the word of righteousness,—and this whilst he was only a private disciple. ni )
[2.] When we are to defend it against the opposition of gainsayers, and their mouths can no otherwise be stopped. If men be but skilful and ready in the Scriptures, though destitute of all advan- tages of learning, it is inexpressible how able they will be, and such persons have been, in confounding all the sophistry of the most subtile adversaries of the truth. When without this ability, men lie to be seized on as a prey by the next seducer. Wherefore, without the duty here enjoined, we may easily see what, on all accounts, our condition is with respect unto our faith.
2. The next end of the doctrines uf the gospel, which we need
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594 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ CHAP. V.
this skill to manage them unto, is the guidance of us in the whole course of our duty, that we be not out of our way, nor at a loss about it. The word is our rule, our guide, our light, in all our walking before God; but if we have not an acquaintance with it, if we are not ready to use and apply it, we shall never walk steadily nor uprightly.
(1.) This is our guide in the whole course of our lives. “Thy statutes,” saith David, “are the men of my counsel,”’—those with whom he advised on all occasions. Those who are skilful in the word, in the precepts, directions, and instructions of it, have their rule in a readiness for all occasions of duty, and in the whole course of their affairs) The way wherein they should walk will still be represented unto them; whilst others wander in the dark, and at best walk at “ peradventure,” or hazard, with God; which we rendér “walking contrary” unto him, Lev. xxvi. 21.
(2.) In particular difficult cases, which often befall us in the course of our conversation in this world. Such as these, where men are unskilful in the word, do either entangle them and fill them with perplexities, so as that they are at their wit’s end, and know not what to do, or else they violently and presumptuously break through them, to the wounding of their consciences, and the hardening of their spirits against a sense of sin, But he who is thoroughly ac- quainted with the word, and is able dexterously to apply it unto all occasions of duty, will extricate himself from these straits in a due manner; for there is no case of this nature can befall us, but there are rules and directions in the Scripture that will guide us safely through it, if we are skilful in their application.
(3.) The right discharge of all duties towards others depends hereon, and without it we fail more or less in them all. Hence are we enabled to admonish, exhort, instruct, comfort, and reprove, those in whom we are concerned, and that with such authority as may have an influence upon their minds and consciences. Without this, we know neither the true nature, grounds, nor reasons, of any one duty we perform towards others, nor can make use of those things which only will make what we say or do effectual. As therefore it is so with respect unto the increase and preservation of our faith, so also with regard unto all our duties, the whole course of our obedi- ence,—it is necessary that we should be skilful in the word of righte- ousness.
8. Consolation in distress depends hereon. This the Scripture is the only storehouse of. Whatever is taken from any other stores and applied unto that purpose, is but vanity and froth. Here all the springs, principles, causes, reasons, arguments, for true conso- lation of mind in distress, are treasured up. And on what various occasions, and how frequently, these cases occur wherein we stand
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in need of especial consolation, we all know by experience. And in them all, it is unavoidable that we must either be left unto darkness and sorrow, or betake ourselves unto reliefs that are worse than our troubles, if we have not in a readiness those grounds of solid consola- tion which the Scripture is stored withal. But whatever are our sorrows or troubles, however aggravated or heightened, whatever be their circumstances, from what cause soever they rise, of sins or sufferings, our own or others in whom we are concerned, if we are skilful in the word of righteousness, we may at all times and places, in prisons, dungeons, exiles, have in readiness wherewith to support and refresh our souls. And this I thought meet to add for the dis- covery of the importance of that duty, a defect whereof is here blamed in the Hebrews by our apostle.
Again ; the word signifies “want of experience,” and so it respects the things of the gospel. With respect unto them it is said, ‘ They have not experience of the word of righteousness;’ that is, of the things contained in it, and their power. And in this sense also it deserves our consideration; for the want of this experience, where we have had time and means for it, is both our great fault and our great disadvantage. Now, by this experience I intend a spiritual sense, taste, or relish, of the goodness, sweetness, useful excellency, of the truths of the gospel, endearing our hearts to God, and causing us to adhere unto him with delight and constancy. And this ex- perience, which is of so great use and advantage, consists in three things:— .