XVIII. A Second Difcourfe on the fame Subject XIX. Concerning the repairing, keeping clean, and decently adorning of our Churches XX. Of good Works; and firft of Fafting XXI. A Second Difcourfe on the fame Subject XXII. Against Gluttony and Drunkenness · DISCOURSES ON SEVERAL SUBJECTS. DISCOURSE I. An Exhortation to the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures. MATTHEW Xxii. and part of the 29th verfe. -Ye do err, not knowing the fcriptures. OTHING can be more neceffary or profit able to a chriftian, than a thorough knowledge of Holy Scripture: for therein, God, in a manner, fpeaketh to us by his written word, fetting forth his own eternal love and glory, and our incumbent duty.-Neither is there any truth, or doctrine, respecting our juftification and everlafting peace, but which is, or may be drawn from that fame facred fountain. As many there fore as are defirous to enter into the right, and perfect way of the Lord, muft apply their minds to VOL. I. search, B fearch, and learn the Holy Scriptures; without which, they can neither fufficiently know their great Creator, and his will, nor the particular fervice He requires from them. And as drink is pleasant to the thirsty, and food to them who feel the calls of hunger, fo is reading, hearing, and studying the Book of Life, to all who wish to be acquainted with the things of God, and faithfully to do his will. None will refufe this ineftimable knowledge, or to be nourished by this heavenly food, but fuch, as are fo engroffed by worldly vanities and cares, as render them regardless of feeking after God, and of cultivating any holiness.-And indeed, this neglect is the reason why they covet fuch vanities, rather than the true wisdom; for as they that are fick with any feverish complaint, are apt to fancy every thing they eat or drink, though ever fo pleafant, to be like wormwood to the tafte, (not because the food is really bitter, but that the corrupted humour in their tongue and mouth occafions them to think fo)-thus, the pleasantnefs of God's word, is only taftelefs to them who have their minds corrupted by long habits of fin, and worldly love. Wherefore forfaking this falfe judgment of men, who care but for the body, let us reverently hear, and read the Scripture, which to all who devoutly thirst for knowledge, is the ftrengthening nurture of the foul to life eternal. Let us diligently draw from the well of living water, which is pointed out to us in the facred volume, and not be fatisfied with the fhallow, and polluted ftreams of men's traditions. Let us not reft our final acceptance and falvation upon the uncertain imaginations of finful mortals like ourselves, but on the word of God alone, wherein is fully written all we ought to do, avoid, believe, love, and look for, at our maker's hands. In thefe bleffed books, we fhall find the FATHER, from whom, the SoN by whom, and the HOLY GHOST in whom all things have their being, and prefervation ;---and that it is our duty and interest, humbly to to believe, as we are taught therein, that these three perfons are effentially ONE GOD. In these books we shall find the juft and awakening picture of ourselves; (the first, and moft important of every other knowledge) we fhall fee how vile and miferable we are by nature, and alfo difcover how good the Lord is, and how he willeth, and maketh us and all his creatures to be partakers of his goodness. In these books we have further declared to us as much of the joys of heaven as at this prefent time, is proper and needful for us. And in fhort, (as one of the ancient Fathers of the Church obferves), every thing required for the welfare of our fouls. Whoever among you is ignorant, may there acquire the best of learning; the hardened and obftinate offender, will there difcover fuch torments threatened, and prepared by God's juftice for all wilful finners, as in mercy is defigned, now during their day of trial, to terrify, and foften them. He who is oppreffed with mifery in this world, fhall there find relief in the precious promises of everlasting blifs, to his great and never failing confolation. He that has been polluted and deceived by the wiles and temptation of the devil, even to danger of death, fhall there find fovereign medicine, whereby he may be reftored again to health. If we have a defire to teach any truth, to difprove any false doctrine, to rebuke any vice, to inforce any virtue, to give good counfel, or to comfort and exhort; in fhort, to do any thing needful for our falvation, all these things, fays the fame pious Father, we may obtain most plentifully in the facred writings. In them is abundant food both for men, and children in Chrift: there is plenty fuited to all ages, and all degrees of people. Books that deferve fo high a character, can furely never be too much confulted; too often in our hands, and before our eyes; in our ears, and in our mouths; but most especially in our bearts. For the word of God is the heavenly banquet to which we are invited while on earth; it is as a light or lanthorn to our feet; the hearing and obeying it maketh us bleffed, keepeth us holy, and turneth the defire to God; it is a fure and ftedfast inftrument to good; it giveth wifdom to the lowly of heart, and healeth the wounded confcience; and maketh the difconfolate glad : It is a far more excellent treasure than gold or precious ftones; it is fweeter than honey or the honey-comb; it is that good part propofed to every true and humble follower of Jefus Chrift, and therefore diftinguifhed as Mary's happy choice, for it shall not be taken away from any who prefer it, fince in its very nature, it hath everlasting peace.-And on this account, the words of holy writ are juftly called the words of life eternal, because they were recorded for us, by God, to promote that very end. Through the power of God's promife, they produce our converfion, and are effectual by his help (being received with an humble, faithful heart) to forward us to glory. They evince an heavenly spirit working in them; they are lively, quick, and mighty, when applied in faith; and when they convict and threaten, they are sharper than any two edged fword; for they enter through even to the dividing afunder of the flesh and Spirit, of the joints and marrow. Chrift calleth him a wife builder, who buildeth upon his word, because that is a moft fure foundation. Further, by this word alfo we shall be judged, for the word which I have spoken, faith our Lord, is that which shall judge you at the last day, (John xii. 48.) He who keepeth the word of Chrift is promised the love and favor of the Moft High, and that he fhall be the temple or dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity; for to fuch our Lord thus fpeaks, If a man love me, be will keep my words, and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him, John |