I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

First, Observe what those things are, whereby men have been led off, and carried away from the Scripture, and above all things take heed of them. Now those are three especially.

First, Observe what those things are, whereby men have been led off, and carried away from the Scripture, and above al things take heed of them. Now those are three especially.

Sometimes this evil doth arise from the corruption of a mans Nature, boiled up to a secret unperceived malice against the Word and Scripture. As in case two Professors be at variance, and a third person stand by, and saith, Do you see these Professors what proud, wrangling people these are, they are all such; doth not this argue, that this third man hath an aching tooth at Profession? So when men shall observe some variations in Scripture, and they shall say, do ye see what Contradictions there are? they are all so: What doth this argue, but that these men have an aching tooth, and secret malice at the good Word of God, o• the Scripture. You know how it was with Moses, when he saw two men fighting, one an Egyptian, and another an Israelite, he killed the Egyptian; but when he saw two Hebrews fighting, now saith he, will I go and reconcile them, for they are Brethren; why so, but because he w•s a good man, and gracious? So also 'tis with a gracious heat; when he sees the Scripture fighting with an Egyptian, an Heathen Author, or Apocryphal, he comes and kills •he Heathen, he kills the Egyptian, or the Apocrypha: but when he sees two Scriptures at variance (in view, though in truth not) O saith he, these are Brethren, and they may be reconciled, I'll labour all I can to reconcile them: but when a man shall take every advantage of •eeming difference in Scripture, to say, Do ye see what Contradictions there are in this Bo•k, and not labour to reconcile them; what doth this argue, but that the corruption of a mas Nature, is boiled up to an unknown malice against the Word of the Lord: take heed therefore of that.