every Thing, and we know little; that others perhaps now, and we ourselves after farther Inquiry, may fee very diftinctly what at present

may

we see not at all; and, (which alone may fuffice to our Satisfaction) that whatever else be dark or doubtful, or feem exceptionable, there is abundantly enough, clearly and indifputably written, to answer the End of all; that we may believe, that Jefus is the Chrift the Son of God, and that believing we may have Life through his Name”.

• John xx. 31.

SER

SERMON II.

2 TIM. iii. 16, 17.

All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God: and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inftruction in Righteoufness: that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good Works.

I.

N my preceding Difcourfe I proved to you the Divine Authority of Scripture ;

T

and now go on, as was propofed, to fhew II. Its complete Usefulness. This the Apoftle hath expreffed by faying, it is profitable for Doctrine, or teaching religious Truths; for Reproof, or Confutation of the oppofite Notions and Practices; for Correction, that is, Amendment of those, whom it reproves; for Inftruction in Righteousness, that is, leading good

good Perfons on to ftill higher Degrees of Perfection.

1

Had the Writers of it been left to themfelves, yet being worthy Men, and well informed of what they wrote, it would have been extremely useful. But as they were fuperintended by the Spirit of God, it must be unfpeakably more fo: in particular, because we may with abfolute Security rely on it in all Points. Whatever it teaches, we may fafely learn; and it teaches the whole of Christianity; the Hiftorical Facts, the Articles of Faith, the Rules of Life, the Promifes, the Threatenings, the Exhortations, the Examples. From Scripture chiefly, and almoft folely, we come to know, that God is infinitely perfect, and made the World; that Man is fallen and redeemed that he hath eternal Happiness or Misery set before him; and what the Means are of procuring the one, and avoiding the other. For Reafon could discover but little of thefe Things, and did discover much lefs: and Tradition is unable to convey any Thing far down with Certainty. In this narrow Compass lies the Proof, and it is a complete Proof, of the Benefits that we may receive from holy Writ. However it hath graciously condefcended to

;

invite Us to partake of them, by fpecifying them more diftinctly. I fhall only mention a few of thofe, which are enumerated in one Pfalm, the 119th. You will judge from thence of the reft. Wherewithal hall a young Man cleanfe bis Way? Even by ruling himself after thy Word*. Thy Words have I hid within my Heart, that I might not fin against thee. Thy Teftimonies are my Delight and my my Counsellors. So fhall I have wherewith to answer him, that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy Word". I will walk at Liberty, for I feek thy Commandments. Thy Statutes have been my Song's in the Houfe of my Pilgrimage. The Law of thy Mouth is dearer unto me, than Thousands of Gold and Silver. If my Delight had not been in thy Law, I should have perished in my Trouble". Through thy Commandment I get Understanding: therefore I hate all evil Ways. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet, and a Light unto my Paths. Thy Teftimonies have I claimed as mine Heritage for ever: and why? they are the very Joy of my Heart'. Great Peace have they, which love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them".

These and many other Advantages, which the inspired Writings afcribe to themselves, are alfo in Reason to be expected from them; the Authors had experienced them; all pious Men have experienced them fince; every one, that will, may at this Hour. And therefore I shall enlarge no farther at prefent on the direct Evidence of them; but proceed to answer the Objections of those, who are hindered by unjust Prepoffeffions from trying them: who either conteft the Usefulness of Scripture, in order to overturn its Authority; or, which is wonderfully inconfiftent, think very lowly of the former, while they acknowledge the latter. For I fear many entertain injurious Opinions of the Word of God, without daring to own it, even to themselves which influence them powerfully, though fecretly, first to read, then to esteem it, less and lefs; then to indulge a Life unfuitable to it, and perhaps in the last Place to reject it entirely. These enfnaring Sentiments therefore I fhall plainly bring forth into your View without Difguife, and confute them; that you may have Answers ready to the bad Suggestions of other Men, or your own Minds.

:

It is faid then, that these Books are not in our own Language, but in Translations, which

most