The true profitableness of the written word of God, is fully set forth by St. _Paul_ to _Timothy_: _from a child_, saith he, _thou hast known the scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, which is by faith in Christ Jesus_. Now these scriptures were the _law and the prophets_, for _Timothy_ had known no other from his youth. And as they, so all other scriptures since, have no other good, or benefit in them, but as they lead us to a salvation, that is not to be had in themselves, but from faith in Christ Jesus. Their teaching is only to teach us, where to seek and to find the fountain of all light and knowledge.
Of the law saith the apostle, _it was a school-master to Christ_. The same thing is to be affirmed of the letter of the New Testament; it is but our school-master unto Christ. Nor can the thing possibly be otherwise; no instruction that comes under the form of words can do more for us, than sounds, and words can do; they can only direct us to something that is better than themselves, that can be the true light, life, spirit, and power of ♦holiness in us.
♦ “hoiliness” replaced with “holiness”
_Eusebius._ I cannot deny what you say, and yet it seems to me to derogate from scripture.
_Theophilus._ Would you then have me to say, that the _written word_ of God, is that word of God, which liveth, and abideth for ever; that word, which was with God, which was God, by whom all things were made; that word of God, which was made flesh for the redemption of the world; that word which lighteth every man, that cometh into the world; that word, which in Christ Jesus is become wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification in us; would you have me say, that all this is to be understood of the _written word_ of God? If this cannot possibly be, then all that I have said is granted, namely, that Jesus is alone _that word_ of God, that can be the light, life, and salvation of fallen man. And how is it possible more to exalt the letter of scripture, than by owning it to be a true, outward direction to the one only true light, and salvation of man.
Suppose you had been a true disciple of _John the Baptist_, whose office was, to prepare the way to Christ, how could you have more magnified his office, than by going from his teaching, to be taught by Christ? The _Baptist_ was indeed a _burning and a shining light_, and so are the holy scriptures; _but he was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man, that cometh into the world._
What a folly would it be to say that you had undervalued the office, and the character of _John the Baptist_, because he was not allowed to be the light itself, but only a true witness of it, and guide to it? Now if you can shew, that the written word can have any other, or higher office, or power, than such a ministerial one as the _Baptist_ had, I am ready to hear you.
_Eusebius._ There is no possibility of doing that.
_Theophilus._ But if that is not possible to be done, then you are to come to the full proof of this point, _viz._ that there are two ways of attaining knowledge, goodness, virtue, the one by outward, verbal instruction, either by men or books, and the other by inward light, goodness, and virtue, in our own renewed spirit; and that the former is only in order to the latter, and of no benefit to us, but as it carries us farther than itself, to be united in heart and spirit with the light and Spirit of God. Just as the _Baptist_ had been of no benefit to his disciples, unless he had been their guide from himself to Christ.
But to come closer to this subject. From this twofold teaching, there necessarily arises, a twofold state of goodness. For such as the teacher, or teaching is, such is the goodness that can be had from it. Every effect must be according to the cause that produces it. If you learn goodness only from outward means, from men or books, you may be virtuous and good according to outward forms; you may do works of humility, works of love and benevolence, use times and forms of prayer: all this virtue and goodness is suitable to this kind of teaching. But the spirit of prayer, the spirit of love, and the spirit of humility, or of any other virtue, are only to be attained by the operation of the light and Spirit of God, not outwardly teaching, but awakening within us.