2. When we say its a rule, it must be extended to that end for which it is a rule; for as the Scripture is not a rule to Physicians or Mathematicians in their proper arts, so neither doth it particularly tend to this, or that individual action for all essentials it is a rule, and a general rule for circumstantials. Nor doth this detract from the perfection of the Scripture, that it doth not command every circumstance because then a thing is imperfect, when it wants some perfection that is due to it: It is not an imperfection in the body, that its not every where, because this is not requisite to the body, so neither is it to be expected from the Scripture, that all circumstantials must be by name commanded; Its true, the Church must take heed that under the name of circumstances she doth not bring in worship, which hath been always the subtlety of Satan. Thus Altar-worship, and Image-worship were made but circumstances in mens books by distinctions, but in their practise as much as Gods own instituted worship. Be sure to give enough to the Scripture. Adoro plenitudinem Scripturae, I adore the Scriptures fullness, saith Tert. As Bonaventure said, if he were to err, he would rather err in giving to much to grace, then to free-will; so do you, in giving too much to the Scripture, rather then to little, though its best to go neither to the right hand, nor the left. 3. Though it be a rule, yet it does not exclude other ministerial helps, and here cometh the office of Pastors and Teachers in, as also of praying unto God, and diligent reading of Gods Word; Therefore its a vain and absurd question of the Papists, Let a man be locked up in a study, with a Bible, what good will he get by that, if he cannot read? as if because we say its a rule, therefore other ministerial helps were not also necessary. The Pastors and Teachers have indeed a light, yet as God when he created the world, conveyed the whole light of the world into the body of the Sun, so that though the Moon and Stars should give light, yet they should shine with no other light but what they received from the Sun; So God in the constitution of the Church, conveyed the whole light of it into the Scripture, and the Offices of the Church are to shine with light from thence; The godly Pastors and Teachers of the Church, they do not make truths, though they may ⟨p. 9⟩declare them;
2. When we say its a rule, it must be extended to that end for which it is a rule; for as the Scripture is not a rule to Physicians or Mathematicians in their proper arts, so neither doth it particularly tend to this, or that individuall action for all essentials it is a rule, and a generall rule for circumstantials. Nor doth this detract from the perfection of the Scripture, that it doth not command every circumstance because then a thing is imperfect, when it wants some perfection that is due to it: It is not an imperfection in the body, that its not every where, because this is not requisite to the body, so neither is it to be expected from the Scripture, that all circumstantials must be by name commanded; Its true, the Church must take heed that under the name of circumstances she doth not bring in worship, which hath beene alwayes the subtilty of Satan. Thus Altar-worship, and Image-worship were made but circumstances in mens bookes by distinctions, but in their practise as much as Gods owne instituted worship. Be sure to give enough to the Scripture. Adoro plenitudinem Scripturae, I adore the Scriptures fulnesse, saith Tert. As Bonaventure said, if he were to er, he wuld rather er in giving to much to grace, then to free-will; so do you, in giving too much to the Scripture, rather then to little, though its best to go neither to the right hand, nor the left. 3. Though it be a rule, yet it does not exclude other ministeriall helpes, and here commeth the office of Pastours and Teachers in, as also of praying unto God, and diligent reading of Gods Word; Therefore its a vaine and absurd question of the Papists, Let a man be lockt up in a study, with a Bible, what good will he get by that, if he cannot reade? as if because we say its a rule, therefore other ministeriall helpes were not also necessary. The Pastors and Teachers have indeed a light, yet as God when he created the world, conveyed the whole light of the world into the body of the Sunne, so that though the Moone and Starres should give light, yet they should shine with no other light but what they received from the Sunne; So God in the constitution of the Church, conveyed the whole light of it into the Scripture, and the Offices of the Church are to shine with light from thence; The godly Pastours and Teachers of the Church, they doe not make truths, though they may ⟨p. 9⟩declare them;
