The reason of faith, or, An answer unto that enquiry, wherefore we believe the…

Fourthly, The Scripture is now become the only external means of divine supernatural Illumination, because 'tis the only Repository of all divine supernatural ⟨p. 10⟩Revelation, Psal. 19. 7, 8. Isa. 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17. The Pretences of Tradition, as a collateral means of preserving and communicating supernatural Revelation, have been so often evicted of falsity, that I shall not further press their impeachment. Besides, I intend those in this Discourse by whom it is acknowledged, that the Bible is, as a sufficient and perfect, so the only Treasury of divine Revelations: And what hath been offered by any to weaken or impair its esteem, by taking off from its credibility, perfection and sufficiency as unto all its own proper ends, hath brought no advantage unto the Church, nor benefit unto the Faith of Believers. But yet,

Fifthly, In asserting the Scripture to be the only external means of divine Revelation, I do it not exclusively unto those Institutions of God which are subordinate unto it, and appointed as means to make it effectual unto our souls, As

1. Our own personal endeavours in reading, studying and meditating on the Scripture, that we my come unto a right Apprehension of the things contained in it, are required unto this purpose. It is known to all, how frequently this Duty is pressed upon us, and what Promises are annexed to the performance of it; see Deut. 6. 6, 7. chap. 11. 18, 19.