A30242:1031
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
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 sinne; but why and wherein, or what are the sinnes, that Gods Word doth only inform us. So that Gods Word hath the prerogative above afflictions.
Thirdly, Though the Word of God be thus only able to instruct and convince, being a perfect Rule, yet that doth not exclude other helps, especially the Ministry; for Ministers are called the lights, and guides. So that the word of God is the light, but it must be put on a Candlestick. The Word of God will convince heretics, but in the hands of w•• and faithful Teachers: Otherwise, men through ignorance and corruption, fetch their errors from the Word of God misapplied. Which made Ambrose compare ignorant heretical persons, using Scripture, to little David in Sauls Armour; it was more then he could wield, and so instead of defending, it did wound him.
Thirdly, Though the Word of God be thus only able to instruct and convince, being a perfect Rule, yet that doth not exclude other helps, especially the Ministry; for Ministers are called the lights, and guides. So that the word of God is the light, but it must be put on a Candlestick. The Word of God will convince heretiques, but in the hands of w•• and faithfull Teachers: Otherwise, men through ignorance and corruption, fetch their errours from the Word of God misapplied. Which made Ambrose compare ignorant heretical persons, using Scripture, to little David in Sauls Armour; it was more then he could weild, and so instead of defending, it did wound him.