Now for the Manner [Once delivered,] that is, once for all, 1as never to be altered and changed; and when the Canon or Rule of Faith was closed up, there was nothing to be added further, as a part of the authentic and infallible Rule, though the daily necessities of the Church do call for a further Explication. But you will say, You told us but now how the Word was many times delivered, how then once? I answer, The Apostle speaketh not of the successive manifestations of Gods Will to Prophet after Prophet till the Old Testament was perfected, but of that common doctrine which the Apostles and Evangelists by one consent had published to the world, and which was now to settle into a Rule, and so to remain without change till the coming of the Lord. Observe, That the doctrine of Salvation was but once delivered, 2to remain for ever without variation. Paul chideth them for being withdrawn to another Gospel, Gal. 1. 6. and Peter telleth them to prevent the reception of feigned Oracles, that they had a surer Word of Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1. 19. a safe rule to trust to: and Paul biddeth Timothy, *Continue in the things which he had learned: and our Lord saith, Mat. 24. This Word of the Kingdom shall be preached to all Nations. Now the doctrine of Salvation is but once delivered, 1. Because all is done so fully and perfectly, that nothing can be added; there is enough to make us wise to Salvation, and what4 should Christians desire more? There is enough to make the man of God perfect, that is, to furnish him with all kind of knowledge for the discharge of his office; there needeth no more; there is enough to make us wise to preach, and you wise to practise; and 'tis certain enough, that you need not spend your time in doubting and disputing; and 'tis full enough, you need nothing more to satisfy the desires of Nature, or to repair the defects of Nature: here is sufficient instruction to decide all Controversies, and assoil all doubts, and to give us a sure conduct to everlasting glory. 2. Because this Rule can never be destroyed: The Word hath often been in danger of being lost, but the miracle of its preservation is so much the greater: In Josiahs time there was but ⟨p. 155⟩one Copy of the Law; in Dioclesians time there was an Edict to burn their Bibles, and Copies were then scarce and chargeable;
Now for the Manner [Once delivered,] that is, once for all, 1as never to be altered and changed; and when the Canon or Rule of Faith was closed up, there was nothing to be added further, as a part of the authentick and infallible Rule, though the dayly necessities of the Church do call for a further Explication. But you will say, You told us but now how the Word was many times delivered, how then once? I answer, The Apostle speaketh not of the successive manifestations of Gods Will to Prophet after Prophet till the Old Testament was perfected, but of that common doctrine which the Apostles and Evangelists by one consent had published to the world, and which was now to settle into a Rule, and so to remain without change till the coming of the Lord. Observe, That the doctrine of Salvation was but once delivered, 2to remain for ever without variation. Paul chideth them for being withdrawn to another Gospel, Gal. 1. 6. and Peter telleth them to prevent the reception of feigned Oracles, that they had a surer Word of Prophecy, 2 Pet. 1. 19. a safe rule to trust to: and Paul biddeth Timothy, *Continue in the things which he had learned: and our Lord saith, Mat. 24. This Word of the Kingdom shall be prea•hed to all Nations. Now the doctrine of Salvation is but once delivered, 1. Because all is done so fully and perfectly, that nothing can be added; there is enough to make us wise to Salvation, and what4 should Christians desire more? There is enough to make the man of God perfect, that is, to furnish him with all kind of knowledg for the discharge of his office; there needeth no more; there is enough to make us wise to preach, and you wise to practise; and 'tis certain enough, that you need not spend your time in doubting and disputing; and 'tis full enough, you need nothing more to satisfie the desires of Nature, or to repair the defects of Nature: here is sufficient instruction to decide all Controversies, and assoil all doubts, and to give us a sure conduct to everlasting glory. 2. Because this Rule can never be destroyed: The Word hath often been in danger of being lost, but the miracle of its pr•servation is so much the greater: In Josiahs time there was but
- 12.
- 2Observat. 3.
- *2 Tim. 3. 14, 15.
- 42 Tim. 3. 15, 17.
