A Body of Practical Divinity

and he that pretends a new Light, which is either above the Word, or contrary to it, abuseth both himself and the Spirit; his Light is borrowed from him who transforms himself into an Angel of Light. 4. It condemns the Slighters of Scripture; such are they who can go whole Weeks and Months and never read the Word; they lay it aside as rusty Armour; they prefer a Play or Romance before Scripture, the Magnalia legis are to them Minutula. O how many can be looking their Faces in a Glass all the Morning, but their Eyes begin to be sore when they look upon a Bible: Heathens die in the want of Scripture, and these in the contempt of it. They surely must needs go wrong who slight their Guide; such as lay the reins upon the neck of their Lusts, and never use the curbing Bit of Scripture to check them, are carried to Hell and never stop. 5. It condemns the Abusers of Scripture: 1. Who do mud and poison this pure Chrystal Fountain with their corrupt Glosses, who rest Scripture, 2 Pet. 3.16. The Greek word is [Greek or Hebrew], they set it upon the Rack; they give wrong Interpretations of it, not comparing Scripture with Scripture; as the Antinomians pervert that Scripture, Numb. 23.21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob. Hence they infer, God's People may take liberty in sin, because God sees no sin in them. 'Tis true, God sees not sin in his People with an Eye of Revenge, but he sees it with an Eye of Observation. He sees not sin in them, so as to damn them, but he sees it so as to be angry, and severely to punish them. Did not David find it so when he cried out of his broken bones? In like manner the Arminians wrest Scripture: John 5.40. Ye will not come to me: here they bring in Free-will. This Text shows 1. how willing God is that we should have Life; 2. that sinners may do more than they do; they may improve the Talents God hath given them: but it doth not prove the Power of Free-will, for it is contrary to that Scripture, John 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. These therefore wring the Text so hard as they make the Blood come; they do not compare Scripture with Scripture. 2. Who do jest with Scripture. When they are sad they take the Scripture as their Lute or Minstrel to play with, and so drive away the sad Spirit;