A Body of Practical Divinity

Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God, who besides the Light of Nature, hath committed to us the Sacred Scriptures. The Heathens are enveloped with Ignorance; Psal. 147.20. As for his judgments, they have not known them. They have the Oracles of the Sibyls, but not the Writings of Moses and the Apostles. How many live in the Region of Death, where this bright Star of Scripture never appeared. We have this blessed Book of God to resolve all our Cases, to chalk out a Way of Life to us. John 14.22. Lord! How is it thou wilt show thy self to us, and not unto the World?

Use 1. See the wonderful goodness of God, who besides the Light of Nature, hath committed to us the Sacred Scriptures. The Heathens are inveloped with Ignorance; Psal. 147.20. As for his judgments, they have not known them. They have the Oracles of the Sybils, but not the Writings of Moses and the Apostles. How many live in the Region of Death, where this bright Star of Scripture never appeared. We have this blessed Book of God to resolve all our Cases, to chalk out a Way of Life to us. Iohn 14.22. Lord! How is it thou wilt show thy self to us, and not unto the World?

2. Seeing God hath given us his written Word to be our Directory, this takes away all Excuses from Men. No Man can say I went wrong for want of a Light; no, God hath given thee his Word, as a Lamp to thy feet; therefore now if thou goest wrong, thou dost it wilfully. No Man can say, If I had known the Will of God, I would have obeyed; no, thou art inexcusable, O Man, God hath given thee a Rule to go by, he hath written his Law with his own finger, Therefore now if thou obeyest not, thou hast no Apology left. If a Master leaves his Mind in writing with his Servant, and tells him what Work he will have done, yet the Servant neglects the Work, that Servant is left without Excuse.