§. 22. Answer to Satans suggestion of the danger of suffering all sorts to read the Scriptures.§. 22. Answer to Satans suggestion of the danger of suffering all sorts to reade the Scriptures.

§. 22. Answer to Satan's suggestion of the danger of suffering all sorts to read the Scriptures.

§. 22. Answer to Satans suggestion of the danger of suffering all sorts to reade the Scriptures.

4 Sugg. IT is indeed a two-edged Sword: but too sharp and keen for children. It is not fit that Lay-men, Women, and such as have not skill in Tongues and Arts, should read it: they oft pierce and wound their own souls & consciences with this Sword, as children hurt themselves with knives. With this also are the Papists exceedingly beguiled.

4 Sugg. IT is indeed a two-edged Sword: but too sharpe and keene for children. It is not fit that Lay-men, Woemen, and such as haue not skill in Tongues and Arts, should reade it: they oft pierce and wound their own soules & consciences with this Sword, as children hurt themselues with kniues. With this also are the Papists exceedingly beguiled.

Answ. As the Word is sharp in it self, so hath^b it an inward power to give sharpness of wit, & that unto the simple: and to the child, knowledge and discretion, so as by the word they may learn well to use the Word. How can that be thought to be unfit for laymen & women to use, which God hath expressly commanded them to use, except question⟨p. 337⟩ be made of his wisdom? As the forenamed girdle, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, were prescribed to all of all sorts, so this sword: and Christ, without exception of any, saith to all,² Search the Scriptures. God expressly commandeth, That the Law be read to all, even men, women, children, strangers,