too, the standing rule by which all corruptions were to be detected. 'Tis true, the entire Canon of the New Teftament, as we now have it, was not all at once deliver'd to the Church; the Gofpels and Epiftles being fucceffively writ, as the needs of Chriftians, and the encroachment of Hereticks gave occafion: but at last they became all together the common magazine of the Church, to furnish arms both defenfive and offenfive. For as the Gospel puts in our hands the fhield of Faith, fo the Epiftles help us to hold it, that it may not be wrefted out of our hands again, either by the force of perfecution, or the fly infinuations of vice or Herefie.

95. THUS the Apoftles like prudent leaders have beat up the Ambushes, discover'd the fnares that were laid for us; and by dif comfiting Satans forlorn hope, that earliest Set of falfe teachers and corrupt practices which then invaded the Church, have laid a foundation of victory to the fucceeding Ages, if they will but keep close to their conduct, adhere to thofe Sacred Writings they have left behind them in every Church for that purpose.

96. Now what was there depofited, was defign'd for the benefit of every particular member of that Church. The Bible was not committed (like the Regalia, or rarities of a Nation) to be kept under lock and key (and

confe

confequently to conftitute a profitable office for the keepers) but expos'd like the Brazen Serpent for univerfal view and benefit: that facred Book (like the common air) being every mans propriety, yet no mans inclosure: yet there are a generation of men whose eyes have bin evil, becaufe Gods have bin good: who have feal'd up this fpring, monopoliz'd the word of Life, and will allow none to partake of it but fuch persons, and in fuch proportions as they please to retail it: an attempt very infolent in refpect of God, whofe purpofe they contradict; and very injurious in refpect of man, whofe advantage they obftruct. The iniquity of it will be very apparent, if we confider what is offer'd in the following Section.

SECT.

SECT. IV.

The Cuftody of the Holy Scripture is a privilege and right of the Chriftian Church, and every member of it; which cannot without impiety to God, and injuftice unto it and them, be taken away or impeacht.

B

ESIDES the keeping of the divine Law, which is obfequious, and imports a due regard to all its Precepts, commonly expreft in Scripture by keeping the commandments, hearkning to, and obeying the voice of the Lord, walking in his ways, and obferving and doing his Statutes and his judgments: there is a poffeffory keeping it, in reference to our felves and others; in refpect whereof, Almighty God, Deut. 6. and elsewhere frequently, having enjoin'd the people of Ifrael, to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their foul, and with all their might, and that the words which he commanded them fhould be in their heart, he adds, that they jhall teach them diligently to their children, and fhall talk of them when they fit down in their houfes, and when they walk by the way, and when they lie down, and when they rife up: Q 2

and

and that they bind them for a fign upon their hand, and that they shall be as frontlets between their eyes, and that they fball write them upon the posts of their houfe, and on their gates. So juftly was the Law call'd the Scripture, being written by them, and worn upon the feveral parts of the body, infcrib'd upon the walls of their houfes, the entrance of their doors, and gates of their Cities; and in a word, placed before their eyes wherever they convers'd.

2. AND this was granted to the Jews, as matter of privilege and favour. To them, fays Saint Paul, Rom. 9. 4. pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law. And the fame Saint Paul, at the 3. chap. 2. v. of that Epiftle, unto the que ftion, what advantage hath the few, or what profit is there of circumcifion, anfwers, that it is much every way, chiefly becaufe unto them were committed the Oracles of God. This depofitum or truft was granted to the Fathers, that it should be continued down unto their children. He made a covenant, fays David, Pf. 78. v. 5. with Jacob, and gave Ifrael a Law, which he commanded our Fore-fathers to teach their children, that their pofterity might know it, and the children which are yet unborn to the intent that when they came up, they might fhew their children the fame. Which Scripture by a perpetual fucceffion was to be handed down unto the Christian Church; the Apostles on all occafions appeal

appealing unto them, as being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day, Act. 13. 27. and allo privately, in their hands; fo that they might at pleasure search into them, Jo. 5. 39. Act. 17. 11. Hereupon the Jews are by Saint Auftin call'd the Capfarii, or fervants that carried the Chriftian Books. And Athanafius in his Tract of the Incarnation, fays, The, Law was not for the fews only, nor were the Prophets fent for them alone; but that Nation was the Divinity-School of the whole world; from whence they were to fetch the knowledge of God and the way of spiritual living: which amounts to what the Apostle fays, Galat. 3. 24. That the Law was a School-mafter to bring us unto Chrift.

3. AND 'tis obfervable that the very fame word, Rom. 3. 2. in the Text even now recited, which expreffes the committing of the Oracles of God to the Jews, is made use of conftantly by Saint Paul, when he declares the truft and duty incumbent on him in the preaching of the Gofpel: of which, fee 1 Cor. 9. 17. Gal. 2. 7. 1 Thef. 2. 4. 1 Tim. 1. 11. Tit. 1. 3. And therefore, as he fays, 1 Cor. 9. Tho' I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for neceffity is laid upon me, yea, wo is unto me if I preach not the Gospel, for if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a difpenfation of the Gospel is committed unto me: So may all Chriftians fay; if we our felves keep and transmit to our pofterities the Holy Scriptures,