A collection of texts of Scripture, with short notes upon them, and some other observations against the principal popish errors

CHAP. II.

That the Holy Scripture is dark and obscure. Bellarm. de Verbo Dei. lib. 3. cap. 5.

UPon this ground it is, that they withhold the Scripture from the common People, pretend∣ing that they are not capable Judges of the Sense of it; and if they should read it, more prejudice than benefit would arise to them from it.

But this is contrary to that which is written, Psal. 19. 7, 8. The Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the Simple. The Commandment of the Lord is pure or clear, enlightning the eyes. Can Darkness enlighten Mens Eyes? or can it make wise the Simple, if it be not Intelligible by them?

Psal. 119. 105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path. And vers. 130. The entrance of thy Words giveth Light; It giveth understanding unto the Simple. When a Man hath but begun to read or make inquiry into the Word, it affords him a great deal of Light and Understanding. Unless the Light be obscure then, the Scripture is not obscure. If Men don't turn their backs to this Lamp, they may perceive the Light thereof. See how the Psalmist profited in Wisdom by meditating therein, ver. 98, 99, 100.

Deut. 30. 11, 14. This Commandment, which I com∣mand thee this day, is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off, &c. but the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart, that thou mayest do it. Where the plainness of the Command is asserted, and that in

order to the performance of it. For a Rule that is not understood, can never be observed. And this perspicuity and Intelligibleness of the Commands gi∣ven by Moses, the Apostle applies to the Gospel, Rom. 10. 6, 7, 8.

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 that believe not, lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them. The Gospel is plain enough of it self then, and easy to be understood by any, but ob∣durate and unbelieving Sinners. For therein we all with open fact, behold as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord, Chap. 3. 18.

2 Tim. 3. 15. The, Holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto Salvation. But how can that be, if they be so dark that they cannot be understood? Can we be wise without understanding? Or are they so difficult to be known, which Timothy knew from a Child?

2 Pet. 1. 19. The Apostle calls the Prophecies of the old Testament, a 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-spring arise in your hearts. And if there be such clearness in them, what clearness think you is there in the Doctrine of the Apostles? There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a greater degree of Light, and Plainness, and Intelli∣gibleness promised under the Gospel, than what was under the Law, Heb. 8. 11. And if the Old testa∣ment be so plain and intelligible, the New much more.

Yet note that it is granted, that there are many dark Things and hard to be understood in the Scripture, and which are so to the Learned as well as to the Unlearned, which may arise from several causes. But whatever things are necessary, are plain,

saith St. Chrysostome. All things which concern Faith and a good Life, are plainly contained in Scripture, saith St. Austin. The Doctrine concerning God, his Being, Attributes, and Providence; of Christ's be∣ing the Son of God, his becoming Man, his dying and rising again; The Precepts, Promises, and Threat∣nings, &c. For how are they necessary to be be∣lieved, if they be not plainly revealed? Or are the Unlearned excused from believing them, because they cannot understand them?

Did not Christ himself preach, and order his Apo∣stles to preach to the Unlearned as well as to the Learned? And did he and they preach intelligibly to them, or no? If they did not, to what purpose did they preach at all? or how was the World converted by them? Were there none converted but the learned Priests and wise Men? plainly the contrary rather, Matth. 11. 25. 1 Cor. 1. 26. If they did preach intelligibly, then it seems their Doctrine was plain enough. And is it not the same Doctrine that is written in the Scriptures which they preach? How came the same Doctrine then so dark when it was writ, which was so plain when it was preach'd? Doth the putting it down in writing make it hard to be understood? And was it not writ to distinct Persons and Places, and for the use of all, as shall appear in the next Chapter? Therefore I conclude it was written intelligibly to all, in all things necessary, or else the Holy Ghost would be wanting to his own Design; and his wri∣ting for the use of all, could not answer the end for which it is written.