That it is our Duty in studying of the Scripture to enquire diligently after the things which are spoken concerning Jesus Christ, and what is taught of him in them. This doth our Apostle find out in all that was spoken concerning Melchizedek and the Levitical Priesthood. This he gives himself in Charge, John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures, they are they which testify of me. Our principal Aim in searching the Scriptures ought to be, that we may find out, what they say, and what they testify concerning Christ. And this was the Practice of the Prophets of Old, with respect unto all the Revelations which they received, 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11, 12. Let the Pains, and Industry, and Skill of Men in the Reading and Interpreting of the Scriptures be what they will, without this Design they will never rightly be understood, nor duly improved. For as those things which concern his Person, Office, and Grace, with the Mysteries of the Wisdom of God in them all, are the principal Subject of them: So all other things which are taught and revealed in them, are never apprehended unto any good End or Purpose, unless their Relation unto him, and dependence upon him be rightly understood. Some are charged that they esteem of no Preaching but that which is concerning the Person of Christ, which how false an Accusation it is, their Preaching and Writings do discover. But this they say indeed, that is, some do so, that seeing it is the Design of God to gather all things into an Head in Christ, that Preaching is to little purpose, which doth not more or less expressly Evidence the Relation of all Truths, and Duties unto him.
That it is our Duty in studying of the Scripture to enquire diligently after the things which are spoken concerning Jesus Christ, and what is taught of him in them. This doth our Apostle find out in all that was spoken concerning Melchisedec and the Levitical Priesthood. This he gives himself in Charge, John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures, they are they which testifie of me. Our principal Aim in searching the Scriptures ought to be, that we may find out, what they say, and what they testifie concerning Christ. And this was the Practice of the Prophets of Old, with respect unto all the Revelations which they received, 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11, 12. Let the Pains, and Industry, and Skill of Men in the Reading and Interpreting of the Scriptures be what they will, without this Design they will never rightly be understood, nor duly improved. For as those things which concern his Person, Office, and Grace, with the Mysteries of the Wisdom of God in them all, are the principal Subject of them: So all other things which are taught and revealed in them, are never apprehended unto any good End or Purpose, unless their Relation unto him, and dependance upon him be rightly understood. Some are charged that they esteem of no Preaching but that which is concerning the Person of Christ, which how false an Accusation it is, their Preaching and Writings do discover. But this they say indeed, that is, some do so, that seeing it is the Design of God to gather all things into an Head in Christ, that Preaching is to little purpose, which doth not more or less expresly Evidence the Relation of all Truths, and Duties unto him.
