XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing…

If the Scriptures do throughly direct Men to know God in Christ, and save their own Souls, why should we look any further? Now they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledge; but the Man of God, who is to Instruct others, he needeth look no further, but is furnished out of the Scripture with all things necessary to discharge his Office. Therefore here we fix and rest, we have a sufficient Rule, and a full Record of all necessary Christian Doctrine.

If the Scriptures do throughly direct Men to know God in Christ, and save t•eir own Souls, why should we look any further? Now they do not only furnish every private Christian with this knowledg; but the Man of God, who is to Instruct others, he needeth look no further, but is furnished out of the Scripture with all things necessary to discharge his Office. Therefore here we fix and rest, we have a sufficient Rule, and a full Record of all necessary Christian Doctrine.

Use 1. The Use of all is: Let us not seek another Rule than the Word of God. Papists cry up unwritten Traditions, to be received with equal respect and reverence, as we receive the holy Scriptures. But you, Brethren, stand fast, holding the Apostolical Tradition: You cannot have it by word of Mouth from them now; therefore you must stick to what is Written, or else you cannot preserve your selves from the Frauds and Impostures of Antichrist. These Apostolical Writings have been received in all Ages, and Times of the Church, from the beginning; and all Disputes among Christians have been tried by them: None were allowed good or sincere Christians, who doubted of the truth of them. But because we have to do with a People that will sacrifice all to the honour and interest of their Church, and knowing they are not able to stand before the Light of Scriptures, have, to the no little prejudice of the Christian Cause, done all they can to weaken the Authority, Sufficiency, and Perspicuity of them, that we might have no Religion without the Testimony and Recommendation of their Church; therefore I shall resume the Matter and declare it afresh.

Vse 1. The Use of all is: Let us not seek another Rule than the Word of God. Papists cry up unwritten Traditions, to be received with equal respect and reverence, as we receive the holy Scriptues. But you, Brethren, stand fast, holding the Apostolical Tradition: You cannot have it by word of Mouth from them now; therefore you must stick to what is Written, or else you cannot preserve your selves from the Frauds and Impostures of Antichrist. These Apostolical Writings have been received in all Ages, and Times of the Church, from the eginning; and all Disputes among Christians have been tried by them: None were allowed good or sincere Christians, who doubted of the truth of them. But because we have to do with a People that will sacrifice all to the honour and interest of their Church, and knowing they are not able to stand before the Light of Scriptures, have, to the no little prejudice of the Christian Cause, done all they can to weaken the Authority, Sufficiency, and Perspicuity of them, that we migh have no Religion without the Testimony and Recommendation of their Church; therefore I shall resume the Matter and declare it afresh.