scudderpage100

commanded to search the Scriptures, John v. 32; as well the laity as the clergy; women as well as men, Acts xvii. 11, 12; young as well as old, 2 Tim. iii. 15; all sorts of all nations, Isa. xxxiv. 1 - 16. Rev. i. 3. For though the Spirit of God is able to work conversion and holiness immediately without the word, as he does in those infants that are saved, yet in adult persons the Holy Ghost will not, where the word may be had, work without it as his instrument, Luke xvi. 29 - 31; using it as the hammer, plough, seed, fire, water, sword, (*Author's note: They are Scripture metaphors.) or as any other instrument to pull down, build up, plant, purge, or cleanse the souls of men. For it is by the word both read, Rev. i. 3, and preached, that Christ does sanctify all that are his, John xvii. 17; that he may present them to himself, and so to his Father without spot or wrinkle, a church most glorious, Eph. v. 26, 27.

And whereas it is most true, that those who are unlearned and unstable, 2 Peter iii. 16, do wrest not only hard Scriptures, but all other also, to their destruction; yet let not this, as papists would infer, cause you to forbear to read; any more than, because many surfeit and are drunk by the best meats and drinks, you do forbear to eat and drink.

To prevent misunderstanding and wresting of Scriptures to your hurt, do thus: (1.) Get and cherish a humble and honest heart, resolved to obey what you know to be God's will. If any man will do his will, saith Christ, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, John vii. 17. (2.) Get a clear knowledge of the first principles of the Christian religion, and believe them stedfastly. And endeavour to frame your life according unto those more easy and known Scriptures, whereon these first principles of the oracles of God are founded; for these give light, even at the first entrance, unto the very simple, Psa. cxix. 130. This do, and you shall neither be unlearned in the mysteries of Christ, nor yet unstable in his ways. (3.) Be much in hearing the word interpreted, by learned and faith-