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NOne of all the services of God can be acceptably, no not unsinfully performed with∣out due devotion; as therefore in our prayers & thanksgivings, so in the other exercises of Di∣vine Worship, (especially, in the reading and hearing of Gods Word, and in our receipt of the blessed Sacrament) it is so neces∣sary, that without it, we offer to God a meer carcass of religious
duty, and profane that Sacred Name we would pretend to honour. First then, we must come to Gods Book, not with∣out an holy Reverence, as duly considering both what and whose it is; Even no other, then the Word of the ever-living God, by which we shall once be judged. Great reason have we therefore, to make a difference betwixt it, and the writings of the holiest men, even no less then betwixt the Authours of both: God is true, yea, truth it self: and that which David said in his haste, S. Paul says in full delibe∣ration, * 1.1 Every man is a Lyer. Be∣fore we put our hand to this Sacred Volume, it will be requi∣site to elevate our hearts to that God whose it is, for both his leave and his blessing: Open mine eyes, saith the sweet Singer of * 1.2 Israel, that I may behold the won∣drous things of thy Lan. Lo, Da∣vids eyes were open before to
other objects; but when he comes to Gods Book, he can see nothing, without a new act of apertion: Letters he might see, but Wonders he could not see, till God did unclose his eyes, and enlighten them. It is not therefore for us, presumptuously to break in upon God, and to think by our naturall abilities to wrest open the precious Caskets of the Almighty; and to fetch out al his hidden treasure thence, at pleasure; but we must come tremblingly before him, and in all humility crave his graci∣ous admission. I confesse I finde some kinde of envy in my self, when I reade of those scrupulous observances of high respects gi∣ven by the Jews to the Book of Gods Law: and when I reade of a Romish Saint, that never read the Scripture but upon his knees, * 1.3 and compare it with the care∣lesse neglect whereof I can ac∣cuse my self, and perhaps some
others: Not that we would rest in the formality of outward Ce∣remonies of reverence, wherein it were more easie to be supersti∣tious then devout; but that our outward deportment may testi∣fie, and answer the awefull dis∣position of our hearts: whereto we shall not need to be excited, if we be throughly perswaded of the Divine Originall, and autho∣rity of that Sacred Word. It was motive enough to the Ephesians zealously to plead for, and reli∣giously to adore the Image of their Diana, that it was the I∣mage that fell down from Jupiter. * 1.4 Beleeve we, and know, that the Scripture is inspired by God; and we can entertain it with no o∣ther then an awefull addresse, and we cannot be Christians if we doe not so beleeve.
Every clause therefore of that God-inspired Volume, must be, as reverently received by us, so seriously weighed, and carefully
laid up; as knowing, that there is no tittle therein without his use. What we reade, we must la∣bour to understand; what we cannot understand, we must ad∣mire silently, and modestly in∣quire of. There are plain Truths, and there are deep Mysteries. The bounty of God hath left this Well of Living-water open for all: what runnes over is for all commers; but every one hath not wherewith to draw. There is no Christian that may not en∣joy Gods Book, but every Chri∣stian may not interpret it; those shallow Fords that are in it, may be waded by every Passenger, but there are deeps wherein he that cannot swim, may drown. How can I without a Guide? said that Ethiopian Eunuch: Wherefore serves the tongue of the Learned, but to direct the Ignorant? Their modesty is of no less use then the others skill. It is a wofull condition of a Church when no
man will bee ignorant.
What service can our eyes do us in the ways of God without our thoughts? our diligent and frequent reading, therefore, must be attended with our holy medi∣tation: we feed on what we read, but we digest only what we me∣ditate of: What is in our Bible, is Gods; but that which is in our hearts, is our own: By all which our care must be, not so much to become vviser, as to become better, labouring still to reduce all things to godly pra∣ctice.
Finally, as we enter into this task with the lifting up of our hearts for a blessing, so we shut it up in the ejaculations of our thanksgiving to that God, who hath blessed us with the free use of his Word.
Ps. 116. Rom. 3. 4.
Ps. 119. 8.
Carolus Borromaeus
Acts 19. 35