THe perfect and equall1 obiect of Preaching is the Word of God. Lok. 16. 29. They haue Moses and the Prophets, let them heare them. Mat. 23. 2. The Scribes and Pharises sit in Moses chaire, that is, they teach the doctrine of Moses which they doe professe. 3. All therefore whatsoeuer they bid you obserue, that obserue and doe.
The Word of God is the wisedome of God concerning the trueth, which is according vnto godlinesse descending from aboue. Iam. 3. 17. But the wisedome, which is from2 aboue is first pure, &c. Tit. 1. 1. Paul a Seruant of God—according to the acknowledging of the trueth, which is according vnto godlines.
Admirable is the excellencie of the Word, which is euident partly by the nature thereof, partly by the operation.
The excellencie of the nature is either the perfection thereof, or the eternitie.
The perfection is either the sufficiencie or the puritie. The sufficiencie is that, whereby the word of God is so compleat, that nothing may be either put to it, or taken from it, which appertaineth to the proper end thereof. Psal. 19. 7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, conuerting the soule. Deut. 12. 32. Whatsoeuer I commaund you, take heede yee doe it: thou shalt put nothing thereto, nor take ought therefrom. Reuel. 22. 18. 19.
The puritie thereof is, whereby it remaineth entire in it selfe, voide of deceit and errour, Psalm. 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words, as siluer tried in a furnace of earth fined seuen times.
The eternity of the word is that, whereby it abideth inuiolable, and cannot passe vntill all that, which it commandeth, bee fully accomplished, Matth. 5. 18.
The excellencie of operation is that, wherby it is endowed with virtue; first to discerne the spirit of man, Heb. 4. 12. For the word of God is liuely, and mightie in operation, and sharper then any two-edged sword, and entreth through euen to the deuiding asunder of the soule and spirit, and of the ioynts and the marrow, aad discerneth the thoughts and intents of the heart. Secondly, to bind the conscience. Iam. 4. 12. There is one Law-giuer, who is able to saue and to destroy. Esa. 33. 21. The Lord is our Iudge, the Lord is our Law-giuer, the Lord is our King, he will saue vs. To bind the conscience is to constraine it either to accuse vs or to excuse vs of sinne before God.
The Word is in the holy Scripture.
The Scripture is the word of God written in a language fit for the Church by men immediately called to be the Clerks or Secretaries of the holy Ghost. 2. Pet. 1. 21. For prophecie came not in old time by the will of man, but the holy men of God spake as they were carried and mooued by the3 holy Ghost.
It is called Canonicall, because it is as it were a Canon, that is to say, a Rule or Line of the Master workman, by the helpe whereof the truth is both first to be found out, and also afterwards to be examined. Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walke according to this4 Canon or Rule. Therefore the supreame and absolute determination and iudgement of the controuersies of the Church ought to be giuen vnto it.
The Summe of the Scripture is conteined in such a syllogisme (or forme of reasoning, as this is which followeth.)5 The true Messias shall be both God and Man of the seede of Dauid; he shall be borne of a Uirgin; he shall bring the Gospell forth of his Fathers bosome; he shall satisfie the Law; he shall offer vp himselfe a sacrifice for the sinnes of the faithfull; he shall conquer death by dying and rising againe; he shall ascend into heauen; and in his due time hee shall returne vnto iudgement. But6 Iesus of Nazaret the Sonne of Mary is such a one; He7 therefore is the true Messias.
In this syllogisme the Maior is the scope or principall drift in all the writings of the Prophets: and the Minor in the writings of the Euangelists and Apostles.
The Scripture is either the New Testament or the Old.
The old testament is y• first part of the Scripture, written by the Prophets in the Hebrew tongue, or at least in the Chaldie, vnfolding chiefely that old couenant of works. Luk. 16. 29. and 24. 27. And he began at Moses, and at all the Prophets, and interpreted vnto them in all the Scriptures the things which were written of him.
It is distinguished by bookes, which are either Historicall, or Dogmaticall, or Propheticall.
The Historicall bookes are stories of things done, for the illustration and confirmation of that doctrine which is propounded in other bookes. 1. Cor. 10. 11. Now al these things came vpo them for8 ensamples: and were written to admonish vs. Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoeuer things were written afore-time, are written for our learning.
These books are in number fifteene.
1 Genesis, which is an historie of the creation, fall, promise, and of the state of the Church conserued (and shut vp) in priuate families.
2 Exodus, which is an historie of the deliuerance of the Israelites from the Aegyptians, of their going out of Aegypt, of the promulgation of the Law, and of the Tabernacle.
3 Leuiticus, which containeth a storie of the Ceremoniall worship.
4 Numbers, which is an historie of their martiall marching into the land of Canaan.
5 Deuteronomie, which is a commentarie repeating and explicating the Lawes out of the fore-said bookes.
6 The booke of Ioshua, which declareth their entrance into, and possession of the land of Canaan vnder Ioshua.
7 The book of the Iudges, which comprehendeth an historie of the corrupt and miserable condition of the Church and Common-wealth of Israel from Ioshua to Eli.
8 The booke of Ruth, which is an historie concerning the mariages and posteritie of Ruth.
9 The first and second booke of Samuel, which is a storie of things done vnder Eli and Samuel Priests, and vnder Saul and Dauid Kings.
10 The first and second booke of Kings, which maketh a narration of things atchieued in the daies of the Kings of Israel and Iudah.
11 The first and second booke of Chronicles, which is a methodicall historie of the beginning, increase, and ruine of the people of Israel, seruing to explaine and shew the Line or Linage of Christ.
12 The booke of Ezra, which containeth an historie of their returne from captiuitie in Babylon, and of the beginning of the Restoring of the citie.
13 The booke of Nehemiah, which speaketh of the restoring of the city which was to be finished.
14 The booke of Hester, which is an historie of the preseruation of the Church of the Iewes in Persia by Hester.
15 The booke of Iob, which is an history intreating of the causes of tentations, as also of his manifold conflicts, and lastly of his happie issue.
The Dogmaticall bookes are those, which teach and prescribe the Doctrine of Diuinitie.
These are foure in number.
1 The booke of Psalmes, which containeth sacred songes to be fitted for euerie condition both of the Church and the particular members therof, and also to be sung with grace in the heart, Col. 3. 16.
2 The booke of Prouerbes, which is a treatise of Christian manners, teaching pietie towards God, and iustice towards our Neighbour.
3 The9 booke of the Preacher, which discloseth the vanity of al humane things, so farre forth as they are vsed without the feare of God.
- The10 Song of Songs, which speaketh of the mutuall communion of Christ with the Church, vnder an allegorie of a11 Bridegroome and his Bride.
The Prophetical books are Predictions, either of the iudgements of God for the sinnes of the people, or of the deliuerance of the Church, which is to bee perfited at the comming of Christ.
But with these predictions12 they doe mingle the doctrine of repentance, and doe almost alwaies vse consolations in Christ to them that doe repent.
It is their custome also for the helping of their hearers memorie and vnderstanding to propound their sermons brieflie, which they made at large. Esa. 8. 1. Moreouer the Lord said vnto me, take thee a great roule, and write in it with a mans penne. Hab. 2. 2. Write the vision, and make it plaine vpon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Prophecies are either greater or lesser.
Greater are such as do more plentifullie deliuer all those things that are foretold; as the prophecie of Esay, Ieremie, Ezekiel, Daniel.
Hitherto belong the Lamentations of Ieremie, touching the miserie of the people of the Iewes about the time of the death of Iosiah.
Lesser prophecies are those, which intreate more sparinglie or briefely of all those things that are foretold, or at least of some of them; as the prophecie of Hosea, Ioel, Amos, Obediah, Ionas, Michah, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephanie, Hagge, Zacharie, Malachie.
Thus much for the Old testament.
The New Testament is the second part of the Scripture written in the Greeke tongue by the Apostles, or at least approued of them, propounding plainely the doctrine of the new couenant. Eph. 2. 20. And are built vpon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles.
Peter approued the Gospel of Marke, at whose motion and appointment it was written by Marke, as it pleaseth Nicephorus to auerre, Lib. 2. cap. 45. And Iohn, that wrote the Gospell, approued the Gospell of Luke. It is of small moment, which is reported by Eusebius; to wit, that it is apparent by two places (2. Tim. 2. 8. and Rom. 2. 16.) that Paul was the author of that Gospell, which is called Lukes. For Paul doth not here speake of any one booke, but of his whole ministerie: for hee addeth, In * which I suffer trouble as an euill doer euen vnto bonds, 2. Tim. 2. 9.13
The new Testament containeth partly Histories, and partly Epistles. The Histories are:
1 The foure Gospels of Matthew, Marke, Luke, and Iohn: which are an history of the life, deedes, and doctrine of Christ exhibited vnto the world, continuing from his conception euen vntill his ascension into heauen.
And there are foure writers: two that were hearers, and two that were eye-witnesses, that they might giue greater assurance of the truth of the historie.
The difference betwixt the Euangelists is on this wise: Matthew layeth open the doctrines which Christ deliuered. Marke sets downe the historie briefly: yet did he not make an abridgement of the Gospell which Matthew wrote, as Hierome supposed. For hee begins his discourse in a diuers manner, and proceedes in another order, partly intreating of things more largely, and partlie interlacing of new matters. Luke aimeth at or frameth a perfect historie, and described in a certaine order. Iohn is almost wholy taken vp in laying open the Godhead and benefit of Christ, which is deriued from his Godhead vnto vs.
Hierome distinguisheth the Euangelists by their beginnings or entrance. He saith Matthew is like a man, because hee begins with the Man-hood of Christ. He likens Marke to a Lion, because hee begins with the preaching of Iohn, which was like the roaring of a Lion. He compares Luke to an Oxe, because he beginneth with Zacharie the Priest offering his sacrifice. He compareth Iohn to an Eagle, because he doth (as it were) so are vp aloft and begin with the Godhead of Christ.
2 The Acts of the Apostles, which is an orderly historie, specially relating the deeds of Peter and Paul: that there might be an ensample of gouerning the Church extant. 2. Tim. 3. 10. 11.
3 The Reuelation which is a propheticall historie concerning the condition of the Church from the age in which Iohn the Apostle liued vnto the ende of the world.
The Epistles follow. 1. thirteene Epistles of Paul.
- 1 To the Romanes, of iustification, sanctification, and the dueties of Christian life.
- 2 The first to the Corinthes, concerning the reforming of the abuses of the Church of Corinth.
- 3 The second to the Corinthes, containing chieflie the defence of himselfe and of his Apostleship against his aduersaries.
- 4 To the Galatians about iustification by faith without the workes of the Law.
- 5 To the Colossians, 6 To the Philippians 7 To the Ephesians 8 The 1. to the Thes. 9 The 2. to the Thes. Which confirme the Churches in doctrine, and in the dueties of Christian life.
- 10 The 1. to Timothie: 11 The 2. to Timothie: Which prescribe the forme of ordering the Church aright.
- 12 The Epistle to Titus, of ordering the Church of the Cretians.
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- To Philemon, of receiuing Onesimus.
The Epistle to the Hebrewes, concerning the person and offices of Christ, and of faith bringing foorth fruit in good workes.
The Epistle of Iames, concerning works to be ioyned with faith.
The first and second Epistle of Peter, touching sanctification and the works of new obedience.
The first Epistle of Iohn, concerning the signes of fellowship with God.
The second Epistle of Iohn to the elect Ladie, about perseuerance in the truth.
The third Epistle of Iohn to Gayus, concerning hospitalitie and constancie in that which is good.
The Epistle of Iude, of constancie in the faith against false Prophets.
And thus the Canonicall Scripture is distinguished by her bookes.
Now there are verie strong proofes, which shew that she alone is the word of God, and no other besides.
Of these proofes one doth make a man certainelie to14 know the same, the other doth but declare or testifie it.
Of the former kind there is onelie one, namely the inward testimony of the holy Ghost speaking in the Scriptures, and not only telling a man within in his heart, but also effectually perswading him that these bookes of the Scripture are the word of God. Isai. 59. 21. My Spirit, that is vpon thee, and my words which I haue put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth—from henceforth euen for euer.
The manner of perswading is on this wise: The Eelect hauing the Spirit of God doe first discerne the voyce of Christ speaking in the scriptures. Moreouer, that voyce, which they doe discerne, they doe approoue: and that which they doe approue, they doe beleeue. Lastly, beleeuing they are (as it were) sealed with the seale of the Spirit. Ephe. 1 13. Wherein also after that ye beleeued, yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.
The Church also may beare witnesse of the Canon, perswade she cannot. For by this meanes the voyce of the Church should be of greater force then the voyce of God: and the whole state of mans saluation should depend vpon men; than which what can be said to be more miserable?
Obiect. The Scripture is the word of God by it selfe, but it is not so to vs, but by the iudgement of the Church. Ans. 1. The distinction is vaine. For, the first part thereof sheweth the manner, whereby the Scripture is the word of God: the latter part sheweth not the manner how, but the person to whom. 2. The Scripture doth also testifie the same thing with that kind of testimonie, which is surer euen then all the oathes of men. For we haue the voyce of the holy Ghost speaking in the Scripture: who doth also worke in our hearts a certaine ([…]) full perswasion of the Scriptures, when we are exercised in hearing, reading and meditating of then. Neither doe we beleeue a thing, because the Church saith it is to beleeued: but therefore we doe beleeue a thing, because that which the Church speaketh, the Scripture did first speake. Yea the Church cannot stand, nor yet be imagined without faith: faith is not without the word: which word is the Rule or Obiect of faith: and not the iudgement, though it be of most holy men. 3. He which doubteth of the Scriptures, will doubt as well of the testimonie of the Church.
Obiect. 2. The Church hath a iudgement to determine of matters, Act. 15. 28. It seemeth good to the holy Ghost and to vs. Ans. 1. The soueraigne or supreame iudgement concerning matters of faith belongeth to the holy Ghost speaking in the Scriptures. The ministerie of iudgement (or a ministeriall iudgement) is only giuen vnto the Church: because she must iudge according to the Scriptures: and because she doth not this alwaies, but sometimes faileth. 2. The Apostles were present at that Councell which was held at Ierusalem, who were men that had authoritie which was * of it selfe to be beleeued,15 which authoritie the Ecclesiasticall ministery now hath not.
The proofe of declaration or testification is that, which doth not demonstrate or perswade, but only testifie, and by certaine tokens approue the true Canon. This proofe is manifold.
First, the perpetuall consent of the Church: of the ancient Church of the Iewes. Rom. 3. 2. For chieflie, because vnto them were of credit committed the Oracles of God. And of the new and latter Church. 1. From Christ and the Apostles, who cited testimonies foorth of those bookes.
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From the Fathers. First, Origen, as Eusebius testifieth, Lib. 6. 18. & 23. 2. Melito, as the same Eusebius witnesseth; Lib. 4. 3. Athanasius. 4. Cyril, Serm. 4. 5. Cyprian, or rather Ruffine in his exposition of the Creed. 6. In his preface vpon the first Psalme. 7. Hierome, in Prologo Gal. and in his preface vpon the bookes of Salomon. 8. Epiphanius, in his booke of weights and measures. 9. Damascene in his fourth booke of faith, chap. 18. 10. Gregorie, Moral. on Iob. lib. 9. chap. 27.
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In Councels, the Nicene, and Laodiccan. Can. 59.
With these agree Hugo de Sancto Victore in his first booke of Sacraments, chap. 7. N. Lyra in his prologue vpon the bookes of Aprocrypha. Hugo Cardinalis in prologo in Iosuam.
Secondly, the consent in part made by the Gentiles, and enemies affirming the same things, which are deliuered in holie Scriptures.
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Of the creation spake Homer, and Plato in Timaeo.
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Of Christ, Iosephus lib. 20. Antiquit. cap. 6. & 8. and in his sixt booke of the warre of the Iewes, chap. 8. and booke the 6. chap. 25. 27. 28. 47.
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Of the Redeemer of the world, who was to be exhibited in the last times, prophecied the Sibylls, as Lactantius recordeth, lib. 4. cap. 6. and Cicero, lib. 2. de Diuinat. and Virgil in the fourth Eclogue.
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Of the miracles of Christ, Suetonius speaketh in Nero: and Tacitus, lib. 5. & 20.
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Of the Wisemens starre, Plin. lib. 2. &. 25.
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Of the slaughtering of the infants, Macrobus in Satur.
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Of the death of Herod Agrippa, Iosephus in his 19. booke of Antiquities, chap. 7.
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Of the flood, Berosus in those fragments which are extant. Iosephus Antiq. booke 1. chap. 3. And the Poets.
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Of the tower of Babel Eupolemus speaketh, as Eusebius testifieth, De praeparat. Euangel.
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Of the Doue which Noe sent out, Plutarch mentioneth, Lib. quod Bruta sunt rationalia.
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Of Iaphet the sonne of Noe the Poets fable many things.
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Of Abrahams sacrifice, Alexander Polyhist.
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Of the miracles of Moses, Plinie speaketh: though he do ill in calling him a Magitian.
Thirdly, the Antiquitie of the word, for it containeth in it a narration of things done from the beginning of the world. But the most ancient humane Historie whatsoeuer was not written by any before the daies of Ezra and Nehemiah, who were about the yeare of the worlds creation16 three thousand and fiue hundreth.
Fourthly, the most certaine accomplishment of the prophecies: as are these, of the calling of the Gentiles: of Antichrist: of the apostasie of the Iewes, &c.
Fiftly, the matter thereof: which is of one true God, of the true worship of God, and that God is the Sauiour.
Sixtly, the consent of all the parts of the Scripture.
Seauenthly, the miraculous preseruation of the Scriptures in the perils of the Church, and in the time of generall reuolting.
Eightly, the operation thereof: for it conuerteth men, and though it bee flatlie contrarie to the reason and affections of men, yet it winneth them vnto it selfe.
Ninthly, it is full of maiestie in the simplenes of the words. Lastly the holy penmen set downe their owne corruptions: and Moses commendeth himselfe, saying that he was the meekest of all men; which argueth that they were led by the holie Ghost. And Christ, who is described in the Gospell, affirmeth very plainely that he is the sonne of God, and that he is one with God the father, and challengeth all the glorie of God vnto himselfe. Which if it had not bin right and true, he should haue felt the wrath of God with Adam and with Herod, who would needes bee like vnto God. But on the contrarie, God hath reuenged his death both vpon Herod, and vpon the Iewes, and vpon Pilate, and vpon those Emperours that persecuted the Church.
And thus we haue seene the17 tokens of the Scripture. Whereby it appeareth that the booke of Tobit, the prayer of Manasses, the boooke of Iudith, the booke of Baruch, the Epistle of Ieremy, the additions to Daniel, the third and fourth booke of Ezra, the additions to the book of Hester, the two bookes of Machabees, the booke of Wisedome, and Ecclesiasticus are not to be reckoned in the Canon. Reas. 1. They are not written by the Prophets. 2. They are not written in Hebrew. 3. Christ and his Apostles alledged in the new Testament no testimonies out of those bookes. 4. They containe some feigned things, and contrarie to the Scriptures.
Footnotes
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Or, the word of God is the whole and onely matter, about which preaching is exercised: it is the field in which the Preacher must containe himselfe. ↩
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The Maior, or Proposition. ↩
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The Minor or Assumption. ↩
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The conclusion. ↩
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Eeclesiastes. ↩
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The booke of Canticles. ↩
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Or husband and spouse. ↩
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That is, the Prophets ↩
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Probatio […], & […]. ↩
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