Truth, to convince Error, to correct vice, and to instruct in Virtue.

Ver. 17. "That the Man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." That which renders the Man of God accomplished, or as the Greek word imports, thoroughly perfect, or perfectly instructed to every good work, contains all that is necessary to Salvation. But the Scripture renders the Man of God accomplished, and perfectly instructed to every good work. Therefore it contains all that is necessary to Salvation.

Psa. 19:7. "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." That which is perfect, which converts sinners, and gives wisdom to the simple, is sufficient to Salvation. But the Scripture contains the doctrine which is perfect and spotless, which converts sinners, and gives wisdom unto the simple. Therefore it contains that which is sufficient to Salvation.

John, 5:39. "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life; and they are they which testify of me." Note, that our Saviour Jesus Christ does not reprove those that think to have eternal life by the Scriptures; but, on the contrary, he exhorts to seek it diligently in them.

John, 17:3. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." But this knowledge

is given by the Scripture, 20:31. "These are writ ten, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name." That which teaches us what the chief and sovereign good and happiness of Man is, and the way to attain unto it, contains all that is necessary to Salvation. But the Scripture teaches us what is the chief good and happiness of Man, and the way to attain unto it. Therefore it contains all that is necessary to Salvation.

In the Epistle to the Romans, 15: 4.-"Whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." That which comforts us, and maintaineth us in that hope which we should have in God, is sufficient to salvation. But the Scripture comforts us, and maintaineth us in the hope which we should have in God. The Scripture then is sufficient to Salvation.

In 1 John, 1:1. 3. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of Life. That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us." The Apostles have seen and heard all that is necessary to Salvation. But they have declared unto us by their writing, the things which they have seen and heard, which concern our Salvation. Therefore they

have declared by their writings all that is necessary to Salvation.

Ver. 3, 4. "And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." That which unites us to the Father and to the Son, and renders our joy complete, contains all that is necessary to Salvation. But the Holy Scripture unites us to the Father and to the Son (or is a proper and sufficient means for it,) and renders our joy complete and full. Therefore it contains all that is necessary to Salvation.

CHAPTER II.

That the Holy Scripture is dark and obscure. Bellarm. de verbo Dei, lib. 3. cap. 1.

In the Holy Bible it is written in Psa. 19: S. "The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the Commandment of the Lord is pure, (or clear,) enlightening the eyes." Note, that those who accuse the Scripture of obscurity or darkness, accuse it of lying; seeing here that it says of itself, that it is not only clear in itself, but that it is also enlightening.

Psa. 119:105. " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my paths." There are none

but those that turn their backs to this lamp, but may see the light.

In 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4. "But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them." Note, that how bright soever the sun be, the blind, and those that do willingly shut their eyes, do not perceive the light. So likewise, though the Holy Scripture be clear in all points that are necessary to Salvation, yet the unbelievers cannot at all comprehend it, but it is hid to none but them.

In 2 Pet. 1: 19. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." If the words of Prophets be compared to a light or candle, what clearness think you is in the doctrine of the Apostles?

CHAPTER III.

That it is not for the People to read the Holy Scriptures. Ind. lib. prohibit. Regula. 4. Bellarm. de verbo, Dei. lib. 2. cap. 15.

In the Holy Bible it is written in John, 5:39 "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye

have Eternal Life, and they are they which testify of me." Note, that our Lord Jesus Christ speaks not only to doctors or teachers, but also to the people; and that he exhorts not only to read, but also to search and examine the Holy Scriptures diligently.

Deu. 6: 6, 7, 8, 9. "These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up, and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes; and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." Note, that God commands all the people to write the word upon their very garments, upon their houses and gates; so that persons of all conditions and qualities might read it. It had been a prodigy in Israel for one to have forbid the reading of the books of Moses.

Isa. 36:16. "Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord, and read." Note, that the Prophet addresses his speech to all the people of the earth, as may be seen in the beginning of the chapter.

In Luke, 11: 28. "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." If there be a blessing to hear the word of God, there cannot be less to read it. If Jesus Christ and his Apostles were