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ful ministers, Isa. viii. 20. (4.) If you meet with a place of Scripture too hard for you, presume not to frame a sense to it of your own head; but take notice of your ignorance, admire the depth of God's wisdom, suspend your opinion, and take the first opportunity to ask the meaning of some or other, of those whose lips should preserve knowledge, Mal. ii. 7.

Motives to read Scripture.

Let no colourable pretence keep you from diligent reading of God's book; for hereby you will be better prepared to hear the word preached. For it lays a foundation for preaching, Acts viii. 28, 34, 35; leading the way to a better understanding thereof, and more easily preserving it in memory; also, to enable you to try the spirits and doctrines delivered, Acts xvii. 11. 1 John iv. 1. 1 Thess. v. 21; even to try all things, and to cleave to that which is good.

How to read men's writings profitably.

1. In reading men's writing, read the best, or at least those by which you can profit most.

2. Read a good book thoroughly, and with due consideration.

3. Reject not hastily any thing you read, because of the mean opinion you have of the author. Believe not every thing you read, because of the great opinion you have of him that wrote it. But, in all books of faith and manners, try all things by the Scriptures, Isa. viii. 20. Matt. xxii. 29, 31. Receive nothing upon the bare testimony or judgment of any man, any further than he can confirm it by the canon of God's holy word, Luke x. 26, or by evidence of reason, or by undoubted experience; provided always, that what you call reason and experience, be according unto, not against the word of God. If the meanest speak according to it, then receive and regard it: but if the most judicious in your esteem, yea, if he were an angel of God, should speak or write otherwise, refuse and reject it, Gal. i. 8.

Thus much for private reading. Only take this caution. You must not think it to