_First_, Shew, that it is every one’s duty to search them.
And, _Secondly_, Lay down some directions for you, to search
them with advantage.
I. I am to shew, that it is every person’s duty to search the
Scriptures.
By the Scriptures, I understand the law and the prophets, and those
books which have in all ages been accounted canonical, and which make
up that volume ♦commonly called the Bible.
♦ “commmonly” replaced with “commonly”
These are emphatically stiled the _Scriptures_, and, in one place, the
“Scriptures of Truth,” as though no other books deserved the name of
true writings or scripture in comparison of them.
They are not of any private interpretation, authority, or invention,
but holy men of old wrote them, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The foundation of GOD’s revealing himself thus to mankind, was our
fall in _Adam_, and the necessity of our new birth in CHRIST JESUS.
And if we search the scriptures as we ought, we shall find the sum and
substance, the _Alpha_ and _Omega_, the beginning and end of them, is
to lead us to a knowledge of these two great truths.
All the threats, promises and precepts, all the exhortations and
doctrines contained therein, all the rites, ceremonies and sacrifices
appointed under the _Jewish_ law; nay, almost all the historical parts
of holy scripture, suppose our being fallen in _Adam_, and either point
out to us a Mediator to come, or speak of him as already come in the
flesh.
Had man continued in a state of innocence, he would not have needed an
outward revelation, because the law of GOD was so deeply written in the
tables of his heart. But having eaten the forbidden fruit, he incurred
the displeasure of GOD, and lost the divine Image, and, therefore,
without an external revelation, could never tell how GOD would be
reconciled unto him, or how he should be saved from the misery and
darkness of his fallen nature.
That these truths are so, I need not refer you to any other book, than
your own hearts.
For unless we are fallen creatures, whence those abominable corruptions
which daily arise in our hearts? We could not come thus corrupt out
of the hands of our Maker, because he being goodness itself could make
nothing but what is like himself, holy, just, and good. And that we
want to be delivered from these disorders of our nature, is evident,
because we find an unwillingness within ourselves to own we are thus
depraved, and are always striving to appear to others of a quite
different frame and temper of mind than what we are.
I appeal to the experience of the most learned disputer against divine
revelation, whether he does not find in himself, that he is naturally
proud, angry, revengeful, and full of other passions contrary to
the purity, holiness, and long-suffering of GOD. And is not this a
demonstration that some way or other he is fallen from GOD? And I
appeal also, whether at the same time that he finds these hurtful lusts
in his heart, he does not strive to seem amiable, courteous, kind and
affable; and is not this a manifest proof, that he is sensible he is
miserable, and wants, he knows not how, to be redeemed or delivered
from it?
Here then, GOD by his word steps in, and opens to his view such a scene
of divine love, and infinite goodness in the holy scriptures, that
none but men, of such corrupt and reprobate minds as our modern deists,
would shut their eyes against it.
What does GOD in his written word do more or less, than shew thee, O
man, how thou art fallen into that blindness, darkness, and misery, of
which thou feelest and complainest? And, at the same time, he points
out the way to what thou desirest, even how thou mayest be redeemed out
of it by believing in, and copying after the Son of his love.
As I told you before, so I tell you again, upon these two truths rest
all divine revelation. It being given us for no other end, but to shew
us our misery, and our happiness; our fall and recovery; or, in one
word, after what manner we died in _Adam_, and how in CHRIST we may
again be made alive.
Hence then arises the necessity of searching the scriptures: for since
they are nothing else but the grand charter of our salvation, the
revelation of a covenant made by GOD with men in CHRIST, and a light
to guide us into the way of peace; it follows, that all are obliged
to read and search them, because all are equally fallen from GOD, all
equally stand in need of being informed how they must be restored to,
and again united with him.
How foolishly then do the disputing infidels of this generation act,
who are continually either calling for signs from heaven, or seeking
for outward evidence to prove the truth of divine revelation? Whereas,
what they so earnestly seek for is nigh unto, nay, within them. For let
them but consult their own hearts, they cannot but feel what they want.
Let them but consult the lively oracles of GOD, and they cannot but
see a remedy revealed for all their wants, and that the written word
does as exactly answer the wants and desires of their hearts, as face
answers to face in the water. Where then is the scribe, where is the
wise, where is the solidity of the reasoning of the disputers of this
world? Has not GOD revealed himself unto them, as plain as their own
hearts could wish? And yet they require a sign: but there shall no
other sign be given them. For if they believe not a revelation which
is every way so suited to their wants, neither will they be persuaded
though one should rise from the dead.
But this discourse is not designed so much for them that believe not,
as for them, who both know and believe that the scriptures contain a
revelation which came from GOD, and that it is their duty, as being
chief parties concerned, not only to read but search them also.