2. But be it granted, that the Scripture is obscure. 1. Consider the force of this proposition, it is but an indefinite, and the matter is apparently contingent; for undoubtedly ⟨p. 33⟩it was at the good pleasure of God to speak after what manner he thought good: Hence it followeth, that the force hereof is but the force of a particular proposition, as much as to say, that the Scripture in some places is obscure, or some places of Scripture are obscure. And indeed Gregory of old hath professed that the holy Scripture is like unto a ford, wherein a Lamb may wade, and an Elephant may swim; and before him S. Paul tells us, that it contains both milk for babes, and strong meat for men; there is enough, and that plain enough, to satisfy the hungry; and there is also enough, and that obscure enough, to prevent non-sealing, especially in the Prophecies for the times to come. The first promise of the Covenant of Grace was this, the seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head: Here is a double mystery in general notions carried, the one the mystery ⟨p. 34⟩of Christs Person expressed by the seed of the woman, but implied to be somewhat more, yea much more, even such a one as should break the Serpents head; the other the mystery of his Office, carried only in this general notion of breaking the Serpents head. In this time of grace we know this to have been brought to pass by his dying for our sins, and his rising again for our justification. Had this been known to Satan, as now it is to us, is it credible that he would have persuaded Judas as he did to contract with the high Priests to betray him into their hands? that were Judas like after he had betrayed his Master to go forth and hang himself: For we know that upon the Cross he spoiled Principalities and Powers, and made a show of them openly, and triumphed over them. The day of Christs Resurrection undoubtly was a day of extreme confusion ⟨p. 35⟩to the Devil, and all his Angels of darkness: So the Jews had they known this mystery of his Person, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. but this wisdom of God in a mystery was hid from them, 1 Cor. 2.7. and because they knew him not, nor the words of the Prophets which were read every Sabbath day, they fulfilled them in condemning him, Acts 13.27.
2. But be it granted, that the Scripture is obscure. 1. Consider the force of this proposition, it is but an indefinite, and the matter is apparently contingent; for undoubtedly ⟨p. 33⟩it was at the good pleasure of God to speak after what manner he thought good: Hence it followeth, that the force hereof is but the force of a particular proposition, as much as to say, that the Scripture in some places is obscure, or some places of Scripture are obscure. And indeed Gregory of old hath professed that the holy Scripture is like unto a ford, wherein a Lamb may wade, and an Elephant may swim; and before him S. Paul tells us, that it contains both milk for babes, and strong meat for men; there is enough, and that plain enough, to satisfie the hungry; and there is also enough, and that obscure enough, to prevent non-sealing, especially in the Prophecies for the times to come. The first promise of the Covenant of Grace was this, the seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head: Here is a double mystery in general notions carried, the one the mystery ⟨p. 34⟩of Christs Person expressed by the seed of the woman, but implied to be somewhat more, yea much more, even such a one as should break the Serpents head; the other the mystery of his Office, carried onely in this generall notion of breaking the Serpents head. In this time of grace we know this to have been brought to pass by his dying for our sins, and his rising again for our justification. Had this been known to Satan, as now it is to us, is it credible that hee would have perswaded Judas as he did to contract with the high Priests to betray him into their hands? that were Judas like after he had betrayed his Master to goe forth and hang himself: For we know that upon the Cross he spoiled Principalities and Powers, and made a shew of them openly, and triumphed over them. The day of Christs Resurrection undoubtly was a day of extreme confusion ⟨p. 35⟩to the Devill, and all his Angells of darkness: So the Jewes had they known this mystery of his Person, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. but this wisdom of God in a mystery was hid from them, 1 Cor. 2.7. and because they knew him not, nor the words of the Prophets which were read every Sabbath day, they fulfilled them in condemning him, Acts 13.27.
