A cloud of faithful witnesses, leading to the heavenly Canaan, or, A commentary upon…A cloud of faithfull witnesses, leading to the heauenly Canaan, or, A commentarie vpon…

This direction is most necessary for the Schools of the Prophets, and for all Gods Ministers: and yet notwithstanding, the contrary practice beareth sway in the world. For, in the Popish Universities, most of their divines apply themselves to study the books of certain school-men, and the Expositors or Commenters thereupon. These are applied day and night, though they be both many and large, and full of needless quiddities, and oftentimes they be also publicly expounded, whereas in the mean time the Bible lieth neglected, or little regarded: wherein we may see the notable work of the Devil and his malice, toward the Church of God; for the Schools of the Prophets are the fountains of learning. Now, when as Satan by this means, doth steal away from them the study of the Bible, and in stead thereof foisteth in corrupt humane writings; hereby he poisons the fountains, to the danger of infecting the whole Church. And as this is common in the places of Popery; so likewise some fault is this way committed among us that be Protestants; for, many in their private studies take little pains in the book of God, but apply themselves wholly to the writings of men; as Counsels, Fathers, School-men, and other Expositors: and in the handling of the Scripture, they glory more to prove a point of doctrine by multiplicity of humane testimonies, then by the written word. But the truth is, thus to do, is to prefer the handmaid before the Mistress: and as for the opening & expounding of Scripture by other Writers, it is no such point of deep learning: a man of ordinary capacity and diligence, may easily deliver what others have done before him. But to open the Scripture soundly and purely; as it ought to be, is of another nature then these men ⟨p. 296⟩take it: and hereto the sound study of the Text itself, will prove the best help, as they will confess who have tried most of all. And though the best mens works be but base stuff to the pure word of God, yet the writings of holy men must not be contemned; but must be read and regarded in their place, for our furnishing and enabling to the study of the Scriptures, and for the helping of our knowledge and judgement in the word of God: they that hold or practice the contrary, know not what helps they be; and what light they yield to many dark places of Scripture:

This direction is most necessary for the Schooles of the Prophets, and for all Gods Ministers: and yet notwithstanding, the contrary practice beareth sway in the world. For, in the Popish Vniuersities, most of their diuines apply themselues to study the bookes of certaine schoole-men, and the Expositors or Commenters thereupon. These are applied day and night, though they be both many and large, and full of needlesse quiddities, and oftentimes they be also publikely expounded, whereas in the meane time the Bible lieth neglected, or little regarded: wherein wee may see the notable worke of the Diuell and his malice, toward the Church of God; for the Schooles of the Prophets are the fountaines of learning. Now, when as Sathan by this meanes, doth steale away from them the study of the Bible, and in stead thereof foisteth in corrupt humane writings; hereby hee poisons the fountaines, to the danger of infecting the whole Church. And as this is common in the places of Poperie; so likewise some fault is this way committed among vs that be Protestants; for, many in their priuate studies take little paines in the booke of God, but apply themselues wholly to the writings of mē; as Counsels, Fathers, Schoole-men, and other Expositors: and in the handling of the Scripture, they glory more to proue a point of doctrine by multiplicitie of humane testimonies, then by the written word. But the truth is, thus to doe, is to preferre the handmaide before the Mistris: and as for the opening & expounding of Scripture by other Writers, it is no such point of deepe learning: a man of ordinary capacity and diligence, may easily deliuer what others haue done before him. But to open the Scripture soundly and purely; as it ought to be, is of another nature then these mē