The practice of policie in a Christian life taught from the Scriptures / written by I. Saltmarshe ...

The sufficiency of Scri∣ptures for Policy.

WHy goe yee to enquire of B••e••zebub? because there is not a God in Israel? Good Eliah was loth to have his Master loose credit or resort, to see them goe after other gods, when there was a God at home to supply, and that faithfull Apostle is alike so••••i∣citous, Master (sayes he) whither shall wee goe? thou hast the words, &c.

Wee should bee as zealous as this Prophet and Apostle for the ad∣vancement of his credit and glory, and call home all the resorts that are made from him; though in o∣ther Histories civill and ecclesiasti∣call there are many exquisite copies for action, which may doe service to the negotiations of posterity, yet there are no such warrantable and

safe examples, and conducts, and transactions, as the Scriptures abound with, and hee that shall de∣vote his meditations to them, shall at once be wise and religious, a Ser∣pent and a Dove▪ all other formes, and draughts of affaires which are ••eerly humane, have too much of the wisedome of the World, and The wisedome of the World is foolishnesse with God, and a con∣sulting with such is a kinde of de∣parture with Saul to aske counsell of a dead Samuel; the Policies of flesh and blood should have vigour and influence from divine wisdome, like those jewels which have their matter from earth, their sparkle from heaven; they that have con∣sulted their owne darke bosomes, never looking after a beame of di∣vine light, have had successe as blacke as their counsels: how was Herod infatuated in his bloody de∣signe upon the male infants? How was Haman in his project upon the Jewes and Mordecai? How Juli∣an? in extinguishing all Christian

Schooles, in setting up the Iewes idolatry and superstition, these fol∣lowed their owne propositions.

But he that consults the Word of God, shall see what affaires have beene stirring and how they have beene disposed and conducted, how they have succeeded, what circum∣stances have hindered, and what have advanced; hee shall likewise see the will of God which is a rule to regulate and submit his designes to, his Providence, which is a Law to him, that he be not too perempto∣ry for successe, seeing God hath the times and seasons in his owne Po∣wer, his Power which will make him pray for direction, like Jehosa∣phat, Wee know not what to doe, therefore our eyes are to∣wards thee, and besides this dire∣ction for an happy concurrence of such things as may conspire to the good effect of his enterprises.

God could never endure any de∣partures and addresses from him therefore he gave his people a cloud and pillar of fire, a mercy-seate, an

Ephod, Urim and Thummim, Priests and Prophets, visions, dreames, and now though hee hath put a period to these revelations, Yet (sayes the Apostle) wee have a more sure word of Prophesie, whereunto yee doe well to take heed, a more sure word wee have, this is the Word, The Scripture which is given by inspiration, and is profitable for doctrine, for instruction, That the man of God may be perfect.

These are able to make thee wise, and wise unto salvation.

Notes

• 2 Kin. 1. 1▪
• 2 Pet. 1. 19.
• 2 Tim. 3. 15.