A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

Those also speak against the Scriptures, who profanely Jest with them, and that they may ⟨p. 16⟩the more securely Rebel against Scripture Laws, make themselves and their idle Companions merry with the Scripture Language. The Word of the Lord is unto them a reproach, as the Prophet complains, Jer. 6. 10. And another Prophet found it so, whose serious word of the necessity, of Precept upon Precept was turned into an idle Song, (as Grotius understands it) Isa. 28. 13. The word of the Lord was unto them Precept upon Precept—Very likely it was done by the Drunkards of Ephraim, spoken of v. 1. and it gave occasion to that Caution, v. 22. Be ye not mockers lest your Bands be made strong. Profligate and Debauched Minds relish no wit like that which ridicules the Sacred Text, and exposeth that to Contempt:¹ As of old, the insulting […] must be humoured with the Songs of Zion; and no Cups can please Belshazzar in his drunken Frolic but the Sacred Vessels of the Temple. ²Thus industrious are the Powers of Darkness to Vilify the Scriptures, and to make them contemptible; but he that sits in Heaven shall laugh at them, for in spite of all the little efforts of their impotent Malice, He will magnify the Law and make it honourable, according to the word which he hath spoken, Isa. 42. 21.

Those also speak against the Scriptures, who profanely Iest with them, and that they may ⟨p. 16⟩the more securely Rebel against Scripture Laws, make themselves and their idle Companions merry with the Scripture Language. The Word of the Lord is unto them a reproach, as the Prophet complains, Ier. 6. 10. And another Prophet found it so, whose serious word of the necessity, of Precept upon Precept was turned into an idle Song, (as Grotius understands it)