The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

First, The word of God, is of it self sufficient, in a way of light, to inform and instruct; and hath threatenings also, to be like a goad in the side: but afflictions, of themselves, do not inform, do not teach. Gods Word is able to reduce without afflictions, but afflictions cannot do any thing without Gods Word. Hence all that fire which is poured upon Idolaters and Heathens, is like the fire of hell; calidus, but not luci•us, because they have not the Word to guide them. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, and teachest thy word, Psal. 94.12. Should a man go through fire and water, give his body to be burnt for any error or superstitious doctrine, all the imprisonments and burnings in the world could do them no good, unless the Word go before. Heretici sunt lapidandi argumentis è Seripturâ petitis: Arguments fetched out of the Scripture, may strike down the greatest Goliath.

First, The word of God, is of it self sufficient, in a way of light, to inform and instruct; and hath threatnings also, to be like a goad in the side: but afflictions, of themselves, do not inform, do not teach. Gods Word is able to reduce without afflictions, but afflictions cannot do any thing without Gods Word. Hence all that fire which is poured upon Idolaters and Heathens, is like the fire of hell; calidus, but not luci•us, because they have not the Word to guide them. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, and teachest thy word, Psal. 94.12. Should a man go through fire and water, give his body to be burnt for any errour or superstitious doctrine, all the imprisonments and burnings in the world could do them no good, unlesse the Word go before. Heretici sunt lapidandi argumentis è Seripturâ petitis: Arguments fetcht out of the Scripture, may strike down the greatest Goliah.

Secondly, There is a difference between the Word and Afflictions, because though afflictions have a voice as well as the Word, and the rod speaks as well as Gods Word, yet the word of God doth it distinctly and plainly, afflictions in a general manner. They tell us God is angry; they tell us they come for sin; but why and wherein, or what are the sins, that Gods Word doth only inform us. So that Gods Word hath the prerogative above afflictions.