VAR., q.. 8phefians,Chap.3. 357 i n us, yetnot in fogreat meafure as the Word preached: fo it is with the Word as with the Elementsand Creatures which fuftaine us, fim- ply taken, they are not fo good to us as when they are skilfully co- qued : So the Worddreffed and difhedforth to us by the Stewards of God, is of force greater nourifhmentthen otherwife. This thenconfuteth the Papiftsthat are in this point cleane contrary to the Apoftle, he faith that by thefe things read, they (hall underftand what ishis knowledge; they fay the common fort ofGods people can underftand nomore by hearing the Prophets and Apoftles read , then ifthey fhould heart an unknowne language. Againe, that their curfed pra'4ife in taking away thekey ofknowledge,thepublick,and in a man- ner private readingof the Scripture,in which fad they are like the Phi- liffinesputting out theeyes ofSampfon, and taking away the Smitbes, not leaving aweapon in Ifrael. It doth convince us inpraiife, for though we holdnot that the Pa- pift doth, yet we are negligent to read them, asif the reading of them were not amatter of fuch benefit. And in the 3 .place,feeing that reading is fobeneficiall,wemuff be ex- hotted that wouldfitapart fome time to fpend this way;we arefo af- fefted to the writingsofour friends,that ifa letter come in,when we are about to fitdown, we will nottaft any thing till we have read it: Thefe writings are the letter ofGod to us. Ifwe have any thing bequeathed us in fome Will, we will have, if not all the Will, yet the claufe of itperfeétly in memory, and at our fingers ends: Thefe things writ- tenareGodsteftament,that we cannot without great indignity neg- le& them. Againe, why doe you delire gold and liver t But b'ecaúfe it is of that price that is can purchafe any earthly commodity: But what is that in comparifon oftheWord, which together with the Spi. ritworketh unto life everlafingt' Ifone ofyou fhould this day walking by himfelfe, heare the voyce of God breake out ofheaven, he would bee aftonifhedat the hearing, and perhaps he would eafily be perfwaded, that he fhould ponder e- very fyllable: Why, this Word is as great, and as much , in this thou haft God (peaking by himfelfe,by men,by Angels, by all meanes to draw thee unto him. Wherefore ifthou arcdefirous to heare God fpeak as I thinkCome curious fpirits are) thou haft Mofes and the Prophets, the writtenwill ofGod , which convey God fpeaking to thee dayly. Againe, is thereany that hopeth togaine lands and poffeffons, and will not acquaint himfelfe with the evidences which may lead him thereunto? In the written Word lyeth the great grant of that blef- fed land promifed toAbraham, and tohis feed, and from thence how it is entayled unto us of the Gentiles. Naturally weall delire knowledge, asthe blindman deprivedof his fight:now from the Word floweth all knowledge as theriver from the Seas, and enricheth the mind with a quick and (harpe capacity. Lafly, wee delire to heart tell of ftrange things : what more ftrange then to readof that celeftiall Palacebeyond the Starres, cal- I i led t: The Papilis ere proved wito difparage thisetercife. yf. :. rfe ;. Sundry mo- tives to pro- vokeus toa dayly reading of Gods word.
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