2 He writes to believers only, the reason is taken from the little use or profit that unbelievers will make of these writings, till they be brought on to believe, which is so little, that not one of the Apostles directs any of their writings to them, but only for the believers sake, amongst them; it's with the Apostles writings, as with prophesies, and not miracles; Prophesies are not for them that believe not, but for them that believe; Miracles are not for them that believe, but for them that believe not; not but that Miracles may confirm believers; but believers should chiefly attend to Prophesies. Take a company of unbelievers; it's little good they get by reading their writings, for no good is done without faith; now faith comes not by reading, but by hearing, had God ordained that reading should be effectual to the conversion of men he would have confirmed it by Miracles, as he did the preaching of the Apostles. Again, had their writings been sanctified for the conversion of men, they would have sent them abroad to the most remo•e places of the world, where they were never likely to come, but we see they did not, but rather took pains themselves to go about the world, Rom. 10.15, 16, 17, 18.
2 He writes to believers only, the reason is taken from the little use or profit that unbelievers will make of these writings, till they be brought on to believe, which is so little, that not one of the Apostles directs any of their writings to them, but only for the believers sake, amongst them; it's with the Apostles writings, as with prophesies, and not miracles; Prophesies are not for them that believe not, but for them that believe; Miracles are not for them that believe, but for them that believe not; not but that Miracles may confirm believers; but believers should chiefly attend to Prophesies. Take a company of unbelievers; it's little good they get by reading their writings, for no good is done without faith; now faith comes not by reading, but by hearing, had God ordained that reading should be effectual to the conversion of men he would have confirmed it by Miracles, as he did the preaching of the Apostles. Again, had their writings been sanctified for the conversion of men, they would have sent them abroad to the most remo•e places of the world, where they were never likely to come, but we see they did not, but rather took pains themselves to goe about the world, Rom. 10.15, 16, 17, 18.
