1. GOD Himfelf was the Author of them, and therefore they are like Himfelf, perfect, 2 Tim. iii. 16. Scriptura funt perfecta, quippè à verbo Dei, &fpiritu ejus dicta, S. Iren. 2. They furnish the Man of GOD unto all good Works, 2 Tim.iij. 17. Pfal.xix.7. 3. They contain the whole Counsel of GOD, A&t. xx. 26, 27. 4. Nothing is to be added, Deut. iv. 2. and xii. 32. Rev. xxii. 18, 19. 5. Nothing else is to be preached, Gal. i. 8,9. Καὶ ἐκ ἶπεν, ἐὰν ἐναλία καταγγέλλωσιν, ἢ ανατρέπωσι τὸ πᾶν, ἀλλὰ κ αν μικρόν τι ευαγ[ελίζωνται παρ' ὅ εὐαγ[ελισάμεθα, S. Chryfoft. 6. Chrift and His Apoftles taught nothing but Scripture, S. Luk. xxiv. 27. Act. xvii. 2. and xxvi. 22. 7. The Apostles argue negatively from Scripture, Hebr. i. 5. and vii. 3. 8. Our Saviour rejects Traditions, S.Matt. XV. 3, 4, 8, 9. 2. From Reafon; for, 1. If all Things neceffary are not in Scripture, then there is fomething fo, which I have no Certainty of. 2. The Scriptures would be in vain, S.Joh. XX. 21. 3. From the Fathers. Δε πει εξω θείων καὶ ἁγίων ε πίςεως μυςηρίων, μηδὲ τὸ τυχὸν ἄνευ των θείων βραδίδως reator, S. Cyril. Hierofol. Αὐτάρκες γάρ εἰσιν αἱ ἁγία καὶ θεόπνευσοι γεαφαί πρὸς τὴν ἀληθείας ἀπαγγελίαν, S. Athanaf. Adoro plenitudinem Scriptura, S. Hier. R 2 III. Are III. Are All bound to fearch the Scriptures? Yes. 1. GOD commands all, Deut. xxxi. 11, 12. Coloff. iii. 16. 2. commends it, Act. xvii. 11. 2 Cor. i. 13. 2 Tim. iii. 15. 3. They were written to be read of all, Rom. xv. 4. and were therefore first written in the vulgar Tongues. 4. The Knowledge of the Scriptures keeps from Errour, S. Matt. xxii. 29. 5. All are bound to mind their Salvation. 6. The Fathers affert this. ἵνα ἐν κοινά πω ψυχῶν ἰα]ρείῳ ἅπαλες ἄνθρωποι τὸ IV. How muft we read the Scriptures? 2. With Attention and Understanding, A. viii. 30. 3. With Affection, A&t. ii. 37. 4. With Fear, 2 King. xxii. 11, 13. 5. With Faith, Hebr. iv. 2. 6. With Delight, Pfal. i. 2. and cxix. 103. 8. Conftantly, Pfal. i. 2. USES. 1. Reproof to fuch as neglect to search the Scriptures. 2. The highest Encouragement and Motive thereunto. For, 1 For confider, 1. There is none fo Ignorant, but this will 1. All Truth neceffary. 2. All Duties, 2 Tim. iii. 17. 2. There is no Heart fo finful, but this will cleanse it, Pfal. xix. 7. 3. No Soul fo dejected, but here it may find 4. It is horrible Ingratitude, not to read S. JOH. V. 42. I know you, that you have not the Love of God in you. Ir DOCTRINE. is a great Sin not to love GOD. I. What is it to love GOD? Hereunto is required, 1. Knowing of Him. 2. Our choosing Him as our Portion and fovereign Good, Deut. xxvi. 17. Pfal. xvi. 5. and lxxiii. 26. 3. Our exerting all the Acts of Love towards Him; as, 1. Benevolence. 2. Defire of Union. 3. Complacency. II. How are we to love GOD? 1. With all our Hearts, Deut. vi. 5. S. Matt. xxii. 37. 2. Above all Things, S. Matt. x. 37. S. Luk. xiv. 26. 3. At all Times. Because, 1. Of the infinite Perfections of Goodness in Himself. 2. Of His infinite Expreffions of Goodness to us. III. How does it appear to be Sin not to love GOD? Becaufe Because, 1. GOD hath commanded us to love Him, Deut. vi. 5. 2. It is a great Sin, because we have fo many Obligations to love Him. 3. The Want of Love to GOD, turns every Thing else to Sin! 25. IV. Who are guilty of this Sin? 2. 3. 4. 5. that think not of Him, Pfal. cxix. 97. that long not after Him, Pfal. lxxiii, that rejoice not in Him. that love any thing as much, or more than Him, S. Luk. xiv. 26. 6. v.i. that love not His, 1 S. Joh. iv. 12. and 7. that do not conftantly endeavour to be reconcil'd to Him. 8. They do not love GOD, who do not obey Him, S. Joh. xiv. 15. MOTIVES to love GOD. 1. It is the first and great Command, S. Matt. xxii. 38. 2. We can perform no Duty aright without it, 1 Cor. xiii. 1. 3. This will make all other Duties eafy and pleasant. 4. Confider how infinitely GOD deserves our Love for what He is in Himself. 5. As alfo for what He is to us. |