gifts unto proud, self-conceited men, to men vainly puffed up in their own fleshly minds. The same must be said concerning other vicious and depraved habits of mind, by which moreover, they are oft-times expelled and cast out after they have been in some measure received. And in this case I need not mention those by whom all these gifts are despised: it would be a wonder indeed, if they should be made partakers of them, or at least, if they should abide with them.

Secondly, Prayer is a principal means for their attainment. This the apostle directs unto, when he enjoins us earnestly to desire the best gifts. For this desire is to be acted by prayer, and no otherwise.

Thirdly, Diligence in the things about which these gifts are conversant. Study and meditation on the word of God, by the due use of means for the attaining a right understanding of his mind and will therein, is that which I intend. For in this course, conscientiously attended unto, it is, that for the most part the Holy Spirit comes in, and joins his aid and assistance for furnishing of the mind with those spiritual endowments.

Fourthly, The growth, increase, and improvement of these gifts depend on their faithful use according as our duty doth require. It is trade alone that increaseth talents, and exercise in a way of duty that improveth gifts. Without this, they will first wither and then perish. And by a neglect hereof are they lost every day, in some partially, in some totally, and in some to a contempt, hatred, and blasphemy of what themselves had received.

Lastly, Men's natural endowments, with elocution, memory, judgment, and the like, improved by reading, learning, and diligent study, do enlarge, set off, and adorn these gifts, where they are received.

OF

THE DIVINE ORIGINAL,

AUTHORITY, SELF-EVIDENCING LIGHT, AND POWER

OF

THE SCRIPTURES:

WITH

AN ANSWER TO THAT INQUIRY,

HOW WE KNOW THE SCRIPTURES TO BE THE WORD OF GOD:

ALSO

A VINDICATION OF THE PURITY AND INTEGRITY

OF THE HEBREW AND GREEK TEXTS OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT;
IN SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PROLEGOMENA AND APPENDIX
TO THE LATE BIBLIA POLYGLOTTA:

WHEREUNTO ARE SUBJOINED

SOME EXERCITATIONS ABOUT THE NATURE AND PERFECTION
OF THE SCRIPTURE, THE RIGHT OF INTERPRETATION,
INTERNAL LIGHT, REVELATION, &c.

Ερευνᾶτε τὰς γραφάς. JOHN v. 39.

ΤΟ

MY REVEREND AND WORTHY FRIENDS,

THE

PREBENDS OF CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE IN OXFORD,

WITH

ALL THE STUDENTS IN DIVINITY IN THAT SOCIETY.

THE reason of my inscribing the ensuing pleas for the authority, purity, and perfection of the Scripture, against the pretences of some to the contrary, in these days, unto you, is, because some of you value and study the Scripture as much as any I know, and it is the earnest desire of my heart, that all of you would so do. Now whereas two things offer themselves unto me, to discourse with you by the way of preface, namely, the commendation of the Scripture, and an exhortation to the study of it, on the one hand; and a discovery of the reproach that is cast upon it, with the various ways and means that are used by some for the lessening and depressing of its authority and excellency on the other ; the former being to good purpose, by one or other almost every day performed, I shall insist at present on the latter only; which also is more suited to discover my aim and intention in the ensuing discourses. Now herein as I shall, it may be, seem to exceed that proportion which is due unto a preface to such short discourses as these following; yet I know, I shall be more brief than the nature of so great a matter as that proposed to consideration doth require. And, therefore, ανεὺ προοιμίων καὶ παθῶν, I shall fall upon the subject that now lies before me.

Many there have been, and are, who, through the craft of Satan, and the prejudice of their own hearts,