Babblings, and Oppofitions of Science, falsly fo called; That we do not give heed to Jewish Fables, and Commandments of Men that turn from the Truth; And that we strive not about Words to no profit; nor fuffer our selves to be misled by Philosophy and vain Deceit, after the Tradition of Men, after the Rudiments of the World, and not after Christ.

• As in the Epistles of St. Paul, so in the other Scriptures also, there are some things hard to be understood; but we must be both unlearned, and unstable, if we wrest these to our own DestruEtion; for, generally, the Holy Writers have used great plainness of Speech; and they have never handled the Word of God deceitfully; so that whoever will do his Will, may know of the Doctrine whether it be of God.

b For, all that is needful for us to know of the common Salvation is so plainly set forth to us, that he may run that readeth: But if the Gospel be hid, it is hid to them only that are loft, in whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not, left the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ should thine unto them.

• The Scriptures then being plain and easy, so far as is necessary to make us Wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus; we ought to read them with the same Sincerity with which they were written; not corrupting the Word of God, or perverting the Gospel of Christ, after our own Lufts, which make us unwilling to endure found Doctrine.

a And, having consented to wholsome Words, even the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Doctrine which is according to Godliness, we ought to continue in the things which we have learned, and have been assured of; without regarding what is said, either by such as teach things that they ought not, for filthy Lucre's sake; or by unruly and vain Talkers and Deceivers, who being pufft up by their fleshly Mind, intrude into those things which they have not seen, or by such as make the Word of God of none Effect through their Tradition.

Having therefore received of the Apostles, by the Lord Jesus, how we ought to walk and to please God, Let us receive that which we have heard of them, not as the Word of Men, but (as it is in truth) the Word of God, which effectually worketh in them that believe: The Power and Demonstration of which is such, that, whosoever will not hear Mofes, and the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, yet speaking to us in the Scriptures, neither will he be perfuaded any other way, of the Truth of Religion, tho' one rose from the dead to affure him of it.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which, according to the Commandment of the Everlasting God, was made known to all Nations for the Obedience of Faith, This is the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever: This is that Wisdom

2 Tim. 4. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 2 Tim. 3. 14. Tit. 1. 11. Tit. 1.10. Col. 2. 18. Mar. 7. 13. b1 Theff. 4. 1, 2, 1, 1 Theff. 2. 13 1 Cor. 2. 4. Luke 16. 31. Heb. 11. 4.

Rom. 16. 25, 26. 1 Pet. 1. 23. Jam. 3.17. Luke 21. 15. B 4 from

from above, which all the Adversaries of it shall not be able to gainsay, or refift; by which alfo we are fav'd, if we believe, and obey, from the Heart, that Form of Doctrine, which is delivered to us in the Holy Scriptures.

a And, as there is none other Name under Heaven, given among Men, whereby we must be faved, but the Name of Jesus Chrift; so neither is there any other Doctrine to be taught, but what is declared unto us in the Gospel which we have received, and wherein we stand.

b If any Man preacheth another Jesus; or if any Man, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto us than that which the Apostles have preached unto us, let him be accurfed.

• Ye shall not add unto the Word which God commandeth you, neither shall you diminish ought from it.

d Add thou not unto his Words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a Liar; for every Word of God is pure.

• If any Man shall add unto the Words of this Book of the New Covenant, God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book: And if any Man shall take away from the Words of this Book, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life.

f Wherefore, let us mark that which is noted in the Scripture of Truth, and lay up the Words of this Book in our Heart, and in our Soul; and let us teach them our Children, speaking of them when we fit in our Houses, and when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rife up.

a For the Commandment, which the Lord thy God commands thee this Day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in Heaven, that thou shouldst say, who shall go up for us to Heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? Neither is it beyond the Sea, that thou shouldst say, who shall go over the Sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart, that thou may'st do it. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preach'd unto us.

b Secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are Revealed belong unto us and to our Children, for ever, that we may do all the Works of this Law.

• If therefore thou shalt ask, saying, What shalt I do to inherit Eternal Life? The plain Answer is, what is written in the Law, and in the Gospel? How readest thou? Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord, and read therein all the Days of your Life, that ye may learn to fear the Lord your God, and to keep all the words of this Law, and these Statutes, to do them.

d Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this Book, and keep those things which are written therein.

CHAP. II.

Concerning GOD; His NATURE, ATTRIBUTES, and WORKS.

a

T

HAT which may be known of God, is manifest: For the Heavens declare the Glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth his Handy-work: So that we are without excuse, if, by the things that are made, we do not clearly perceive, and understand his eternal Power and Godhead.

6 The Lord is also known by the Judgment which he executeth.

But the Scriptures having given us a plainer and fuller Account of the Divine Being, than the Reason of Man can discover, of it self, the best, and easiest way of coming to the right Knowledge of God, is, by his Word.

From whence we learn,

That he is the Maker, Preferver, and Governor of all things; That he is a Being every way perfect; the only God; who hath none other like him; and who is greater, and more excellent, than all other Beings: That he is a Spirit, Eternal and Unchangeable, and fills all Places by his Presence; That his Happiness, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Power, are Infinite; That he is perfectly Good and Gracious, Righteous and Just, True and Faithful, Pure and Holy: And, that after all we do, or can know of him, he is incomprekensible.

Rom. 1. 19. Pf. 19. 1. Rom. 1.20,

Pf. 9. 16.

GOD