§. Sect. 7 That we must reade with af∣fection and de∣uotion, apply∣ing all to vse.
The seuenth rule is, that we read with affection and deuotion, apply∣ing all vnto our selues, according to the nature of the subiect matter for spirituall vse; framing and fashioning our hearts vnto it, and changing and varying our affections, as the matter is varied & changed. For that counsell which one giueth for the reading of the Psalmes, may in the perusing of other parts of Scripture and holy writings, be profitably obserued. If (saith he) the Psalme prayeth, doe yee also pray; if it mourneth, mourne ye; if it congratulateth and reioyceth, reioyce ye likewise; if it hopeth, hope ye; if it feareth, doe ye also feare; for all things that are here written, are our look∣ing glasse, that we may compose our selues as it directeth. Thus the Apo∣stle telleth vs, that whatsoeuer things were written aforetime, were written for our learning; whereby he vnderstandeth, not onely the information of our iudgements, but also the working of them into our hearts and af∣fections for spirituall vse, as the words following doe plainly shew, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope. And so Eliphaz hauing shewed the miserable end of wicked men, and the happy end of Gods chastizements vnto his children, he thus concludeth his discourse: Loe this, we haue searched it, so it is; heare it, and know thou it for thy selfe, that is, for thine owne speciall vse and benefit, by apply∣ing it to thy present condition and estate. More especially, when the Scriptures teach, we are to receiue instruction for the inlightning of our owne mindes; when they admonish, we are to take warning; when they reproue, we are to be checked; when they comfort, we are to be cheared & incouraged; when they commend any grace, we are to desire and imbrace it; when they command any dutie, we are to hold our selues enioyned to doe it; when they promise, we are to hope; when they threaten, we are to be terrified, as if the iudgement were denounced against vs; and when they forbid any sinne, we are to thinke that they forbid it vnto vs. By which application, we shall make all the rich treasures contained in the Scriptures, wholy our owne, and in such a powerfull and peculiar maner enioy the fruit and benefit of them, as if they had beene wholy written for vs, and for none other else besides vs.