2. The Scriptures prove themselves by their own light to be from God, and appointed by him, to convince and convert sinners, and direct them to come to him for rest. If God do reveal himself, his attributes, and will by his works 1which praise him, and manifest his eternal power and god-head2, to leave Men inexcusable so far as that evidence goes: and likewise by the voice of Nature, or the innate light, those common principles left in the Consciences of Men exercised to discern betwixt good and evil; 3then he having magnified his word above all his Name4, which is all that whereby he makes himself known, there be certainly more clear characters and glorious impressions of the Divine Majesty, his Power, Holiness, Goodness, Wisdom, and Grace to be discerned therein, than any where besides. 'Tis rational to collect, that by the same Counsel God did inscribe Ensigns of himself in the works of his own hands; 5he did impress documents of Divinity on the words of his mouth, wherein the lineaments of Heavenly Wisdom are as conspicuous, as the sagacity of Joab, in the speech of the Woman of Tekoa unto David5. Even as by the light of the Sun in the Firmament, we may see the glorious body of the Sun it self: So by the Word of God, which is pure, enlightening the Eyes 6,7 we may discern clearly who is the Author of it. By the condescending beams and influences vouchsafed in that ⟨image 80⟩bright Sun, who is indeed the Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift descends4, we may come to see our chief good, and the only way to enjoy it. In him is the fountain of life, and in his light we shall see light5. God who is the true invariable light, in whom there is no darkness at all‖, can so shine upon the glass 6of his Word, that we may see therein a lively Spiritual portraiture of himself, and his pleasure towards us, with our duty unto him. For you know by looking in a glass we see the glass it self, our selves, and other things within reach in the room; and so by the Crystal glass of the Word we may see God who speaks it, our selves, with our besmeared faces, and the emptiness of the creatures in the same room with us; which may well engage us to seek to the fountain of all fullness, God himself. But then, we should remember, (as an Honourable Person adviseth*) to consider the Holy Bible as an harmonious System, tho' written by parts and piece-meal in several ages.
2. The Scriptures prove themselves by their own light to be from God, and appointed by him, to convince and convert sinners, and direct them to come to him for rest. If God do reveal himself, his attributes, and will by his works 1which praise him, and manifest his eternal power and god-head2, to leave Men inexcusable so far as that evidence goes: and likewise by the voice of Nature, or the innate light, those common principles left in the Consciences of Men exercised to discern betwixt good and evil; 3then he having magnified his word above all his Name4, which is all that whereby he makes himself known, there be certainly more clear characters and glorious impressions of the Divine Majesty, his Power, Holiness, Goodness, Wisdom, and Grace to be discern'd therein, than any where besides. 'Tis rational to collect, that by the same Counsel God did inscribe Ensigns of himself in the works of his own hands; 5he did impress documents of Divinity on the words of his mouth, wherein the lineaments of Heavenly Wisdom are as conspicuous, as the sagacity of Joab, in the speech of the Woman of Tekoa unto David5. Even as by the light of the Sun in the Firmament, we may see the glorious body of the Sun it self: So by the Word of God, which is pure, enlightning the Eyes 6,7 we may discern clearly who is the Author of it. By the condescending beams and influences vouchsafed in that ⟨image 80⟩bright Sun, who is indeed the Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift descends4, we may come to see our chief good, and the only way to enjoy it. In him is the fountain of life, and in his light we shall see light5. God who is the true invariable light, in whom there is no darkness at all‖
- 1Psal. 145.15.
- 2Rom. 1.20. Praesentemque refert quaelibet herba Deum.
- 3Rom. 2.14, 15
- 4Psal. 132.2.
- 5Dr. Templer de Sacro Canone.
- 52 Sam. 14.19
- 7Psal. 19.4, 8.
- 4James 1.17.
- 5Psal. 36.9.
- ‖1 John 1.7.
- 6James 1.23. 2 Cor. 3.18.
- *Mr. Boil Stile of Scripture, p. 72.Mr. Boyl Stile of Scripture, p. 72.
