I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet. I. 19 : II. Christ in travel ... in three sermons on Isai. 53. 11 : III. A lifting up for the down-cast ... delivered in thirteen sermons on Psal. 42, 11 : four several sermons ... / preached by William Bridge ...

SCRIPTURE-LIGHT, The most Sure LIGHT. The Contents.

Sermon I.

• THe Words opened Page 1
• An Exhortation to a great Duty ibid.
• The Duty comman∣ded, commended ibid.
• The Duty is urged, and ampli∣fied by divers Arguments.
  • 1 It is a word of Prophesi••. ibid.
  • 2 A more sure word Page 4
• It is meant comparatively.
• Arguments taken from the use.
• Fulness of the ••o d to us.
• How long we must take heed to it; which is the second thing whereby this Duty is ampli∣fied ibid.
• 1 It is not understood of Su∣pernatural Revelation. ib.
• 2 It is no•• spoken to the belee∣ving few, in respect of the old Testament ibid.
• 3 It is not meant only of those glorious time•• yet to come Page 5
• 4 It is not meant of Heavenly Glory ibid.
• 5 The word Until, not taken exclusively ibid.
• DOCT. Scripture Light is our greatest, and most sure Light; whereunto we shal do wel that me take heed, &c. Page 6

• ...
  • Opening of it Page 6
• 1 A good man may be in the dark, in a dark place, state, and condition ibid.
• 2 Though he be in the dark, yet God hath not left him with∣out Scripture Light to walk by.
• 3 The Scripture Light, in the most excellent, safe, and sure Light.
• 4 It is the duty of al the Saints to take heed thereunto, and to walk thereby, especially in dark times and places.
• I. A good man may be in the dark ibid.
  • 1 Proved by Examples of per∣sons and places Page 7
  • 2 From times of Affliction. ib.
  • 3 From great streights ibid.
  • 4 From times of Offences. ib.
  • 5 A good man may err, and be mistaken in erroneous times Page 8
  • 6 A good man may be engaged in some dissention ibid.
  • 7 He may be under some deser∣tion Page 9
  • 8 He may be under some temp∣tation ibid.
• II. Though a good man be in the dark, yet he hath Scripture Light to walk by Page 10
  • Quest. 1. Have not wicked men Scrip∣ture Light to walk by in their darkness? ibid.
  • Answ. It is n•• ••••ght to them ibid.
  • Quest. 2. M•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 mans Eyes be 〈…〉〈…〉 the Scripture 〈…〉〈…〉 Page 11
    • Answ. 1 In some things they may ib
    • 2 He doth not shut his eyes from any Scripture Light, if he be in health, and not un∣der some temptation. ibid.
    • 3 A good man feels more than he can speak ibid.
    • 4 He hath his intervals of sight, though some things be hidden from him Page 12
    • 5 Though he be in the dark, yet God doth not leave him so ibid.
• III. Scripture Light, the most excellent, safe, and sure Light ibid.
  • 1 It is a true light ibid.
  • 2 It is an admirable wonder∣ful light Page 13
  • 3 It is a safe and sure light. ib.
  • 4 It is a pleasant satisfying light ibid.
  • 5 It is a full, and sufficient light ibid.
  • 6 It is a cleer light in al Truths necessary to Salvation Page 14
  • 7 It is the most excellent Light, compared with seven or eight false Lights, in these daies cried up by men for great lights ibid.
    • 1 Revelations or Visions.
    • 2 Dreams.
    • 3 Impressions on the heart, with, or without the Word
    • 4 Experience.
    • 5 The Law and light within
    • 6 Providence.
    • 7 Reason.
    • 8 Judicial Astrology.
• Quest. Wherein doth Scripture light exceed Revelations or Visi∣ons?

• ... Page 14
• ...Answ.
  • 1 It is more full ibid.
  • 2 It is the highest light Page 15
  • 3 It is more certain and sure, the other are uncertain ibid.
  • 4 There is no danger in taking heed to Scripture light; to the other there is, for three Reasons Page 16
• Quest. May not God speak extraordi∣narily in our daies, by Visi∣ons and Revelations? Page 17
• Answ. affirmatively. He may. ibid.
• The matter set with bounds.
• 1 We must not have itching Ears after Visions and Re∣velations, though we are bound to receive them when God speaks by them; for we may not tempt God Page 18
• 2 If the Revelation be contra∣ry to Scripture, it is from the Devil ibid.
• 3 It is not from the Lord, if it be brought to confirm the Go∣spel; for the Doctrine of the Gospel is sufficiently confir∣med already ibid.
• 4 By extraordinary means a mans heart must not be drawn off from the ordinary means Page 19
• 5 All Visions and Revelations must be tried by the Touch-stone of the Scripture ibid.

Sermon II.

• [INSTANCE, II] Scripture Light compared with Dreams and Voyces Page 20
• Scripture Light the best, compa∣ratively ibid.
• 1 Dreams are commonly vain ibid.
• 2 Dreams are uncertain to know whether they be Natu∣ral, or Supernatural; from God, or from the Devil Page 21
• Quest. May not God speak to us by a Dream now if he will? ibid.
• Answ. Affirmatively.
• He may if he please: but we have no order to wait for it: nor is it a sign of Gods love to me ibid.
• Quest. Is not an immediate voyce from God to be compared with Scripture? Page 22
• Answ. It may be from Hel, or Heaven, from an Angel, or from God himself? yet the Scripture is beyond al Dreams, and im∣mediate Voyces. ibid.
• [INSTANCE, III] The written Word is better than Impressions upon the Soul Page 23

• ...
  • 1 The written Word is our dayly food, Impressions are not Page 23
  • 2 All Impressions are from the written word ibid.
  • 3 Impressions are dangerous to walk by, the written word not Page 24
• Quest. Is there no use of Impressions, with, or without a particu∣lar Word? Is there no light that shines through them? ibid.
• ...Answ. Affirmatively.
  • 1 They comfort in temptations ibid.
  • 2 They may guide a doubtful soul ibid.
  • 3 They may strengthen the heart ibid.
• Negatively
  • 1 Impressions are no Judg of true Doctrine, but the writ∣ten Word is Page 25
  • 2 Impressions may bring much comfort upon the heart, espe∣cially coming with the Word, yet they may be delusions of the Devil, if it be not accor∣ding to the true sence and scope of the Word set upon the heart Page 26
  • 3 Though the impression be of God, yet if the Application be beyond Impression, I still err ibid.
• [INSTANCE, IV] The Light of Scripture, is be∣yond the Light and Law of Grace in the Saints Page 27
  • 1 The Light within us here, is imperfect, the Law of God perfect ibid.
  • 2 The light within us, cannot convince others ibid.
• Quest. Is there no use of the light with∣in us? doth not God direct thereby? ibid.
• ...Answ. Affirmatively
  • 1 It is a Candle of the Lord in the soul Page 28
  • 2 It inclines us to good, as it discovers evil ibid.
  • 3 It enableth a man to do good, and is that principle whence all good actions flow ibid.
• ...Negatively
  • Though it be a principle of good, yet it is not the rule of our lives. ibid.
  • I. If it were the Rule, what need the Scripture? But the Scripture is the Rule. ibid.
• Object. If the Spirit within me, be the same by which the Scripture was written, what need I wait on the Scripture any longer? ibid.
• Answ. It is sent to be your Help, not to be your Rule Page 29
• ...Reasons.
  • 1 You may have the same spi∣rit, but not the same inspira∣tion of the spirit ibid.
  • 2 If the Law, and Light, and Spirit within, were the Rule, a man might do any wicked∣ness without sinning ibid.
  • 3 If the light within, were my

• ...
  • Rule, then am I my own Rule, and consequently, I am God Page 29
  • II. The Law, Light, and Spi∣rit, is a great Help in our way to life, yet it must be tri∣ed by the Word. ibid.
• [INSTANCE, V] The written Word better than Experience. Page 30
• 1 All Light of Experience, is borrowed from Scripture. ib.
• 2 It is short of Scripture. ibid.
• 3 Without the Word it cannot heal our Ʋnbelief ibid.
• Quest. Is there no use of experience? is there no light therein? ib.
• ...Answ.
• 1 Affirmatively. Yea much; for it bringeth Hope ibid.
• 2 Negativelvely. It is not the ground of our Faith, though it be an help to our Faith. The written Word is the first ground of faith and hope. ib.
• 3 All experience is to be redu∣ced to the Word written. Page 31
• [INSTANCE, VI] As for Divine Providence, the Scripture is a more sure light than it ibid.
• ...Reasons.
  • 1 God doth somtimes try us by his Providence, to see what we will do; but the Scrip∣ture is the Rule of our doing ib••d.
  • 2 The Providence of God ex∣tendeth to all our actions, be they good or evil; and ther∣fore no certain Rule from thence, to make up our judg∣ment by; but you may make up your Judgment, and cer∣tain Rule from the Scripture ibid.
• Quest. Doth not God speak by Provi∣dence? guide and direct by Providence somtimes? ibid.
• ...Answ. Affirmatively
  • 1 Yea, he doth somtimes guide us with his eye, as the Psal∣mist speaks ibid.
  • 2 Though God doth this, yet to make the Providence of God the Rule of Lawfulness and Ʋnlawfulness, is a great error. The Providence of God maketh nothing lawful that is in it self unlawful: but the Scripture is the Rule only, whereby to make up our Judgment, what is lawful, what not. Page 32
• INSTANCE, VII. Scripture is more excellent than the Light of Human Reason ibid.
• ...Reasons
  • 1 Reason is the poor mans bread, but Gods Word is the bread of Angels ibid.
  • 2 Though Reason be the Gift of God, yet it cannot suffici∣ently discover sin ibid.
  • 3 It cannot strengthen us a∣gainst sin and temptation, nor convert the soul, but Gods Word can Page 33

• ...
  • 4 It is not saving Light; but Gospel-light is saving light Page 33
• Quest. Is there no use of the light of Reason? ibid
• ...Answ. Affirma••ively
  • 1 Yea much: not only in civil things, but in the things of God ibid.
  • 2 Reason is but an Hand∣maid; and R••••sons before faith less••••; ••u•• after saith they strengthen it Page 34
  • 3 In things of God, we must deny ou•• Reason, but we must not d••ny the Scripture. ibid.
• [INSTANCE, VIII] Judiciu•• Astrology cried up as a great light in these da•••• Page 35
• 1 Bu•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in truth a work of da•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forbidden by God. ibid.
• 2 It desi••••yeth Prophesie. ib.
• Quest. Is there no light of Knowledg from the Stars? do not the Heavens declare Gods han∣dy work? will you condemn all Astronomy? Page 36
• ...Answ. Negatively.
  • 1 Astromy; No. There is much difference between the Lawful knowledg of the Stars, and Judicial Astro∣logy, to foretel future events. ibid.
  • 2 The Stars are for signs of Weather, and have a tea∣ching power in them; but he that would foretel future e∣vents by them, makes himself a God, sets up Fate, and de∣stroies God, makes God the Author of all the sin in the World ibid.
  • A brief of the whol matter re∣p••ated Page 38

Sermon III. The Fourth General Propo∣sition

Scripture Light, the most sure Light Page 39

• ...The Reasons.
  • 1 It is the Word of the Son of God. Christ only is not cal∣led the Word of God, but the Word written, is also called the Word of God Page 40
  • 2 The Scripture is the only Rule of our lives, proved by many Reasons. ibid.
  • 3 It is the Salt that seasoneth al our enjoyments, the great relief of our Souls in time of Temptations; it sanctifieth all our outward comforts. Page 41
  • 4 It shall be our Judg at the great day Page 42
  • 5 It shall be established upon us. ibid.
  • An Objection answered, con∣cerning the word Until, which it not to be taken ex∣clusively ibid.

• Quest. Why are the Saints to take heed unto Scripture, specially in dark times? Page 43
• Answ. Because they are then in most danger of falling. ibid.
• Object. All Hereticks lay claim to Scripture-Light Page 44, 45
• Answ. Some do, some do not. 'Tis one thing to cite Scripture, and another thing to take heed thereunto ibid.
• ...Application.
  • 1 We must bless God for Hu∣man Learning ibid.
  • 2 They that fo••••ake, or deny the Scripture, are ••n a sad Con∣dition ibid.
  • 3 Take heed to the Scripture. Page 46
• Quest. What must we do to take heed to Scripture? ibid.
• Answ. Three things
  • 1 Take heed to understand it
  • 2 Take heed to keep it
  • 3 Attend to walk by it.
• I. For understanding the Scripture ibid.
• Hold fast the Letter of it; for if you deny the Letter, how can you understand the true sense? ibid.
• An Objection answered ibid.
• Quest. How can we keep fast the Letter when there are so many Greek Copies of the new Te∣••••am•••• Page 47
• ...Answ.
  • 1 There is no material diffe∣rence between them ibid.
  • 2 You must diligently enquire out the true meaning of the Scripture ibid.
• Object. One Scripture hath many Sen∣ses, &c. Page 48
• ...Answ. Negatively,
  • Nay, one Scripture hath but one intire sense, though it hath divers parts and appli∣cations ibid.
  • 2 The Scripture is to be under∣stood somtimes literally, som∣times figuratively; yet al∣waies spiritually ibid.
  • 3 For Direction Page 49
    • 1 Al fundamental Doctrins of our salvation, are laid down literally ibid.
    • 2 When the literal sense must be lest ibid.
    • 3 Mystery doth not destroy the History. ibid.
    • 4 Nothing in Scripture set down mystically, but is li∣terally expressed in ano∣ther place of Scripture. Page 49, 50
• Object. When a Scripture lieth under con rov••••sie, what must be done? ibid.
• Answ. Somthing by way of Observa∣ti••n, somthing by Practice. ibid.
  • 1 Observation; if you be able, c••nsult the Original; if not able, consult those that are a∣ble ibid.
  • 2 Coherence, and Scope, and

• ...
  • Context, good means to open the true sense Page 51
  • 3 Compare one Scripture with another ibid.
  • 4 S••ve••ve not from the propor∣tion of Faith ibid.
• II. More Practically Page 52
• 1 Go to God for the spirit ib.
• 2 Take heed of a fleshly mind. ibid.
• 3 Study your Condition by Scripture, and the Scripture by your Condition ibid.
• 4 Be not too indulgent to your own Condition, Disposition, or Opinion ibid.
• 5 Joyn nothing in Commission with the Scripture for your Rule Page 53
• 2 You must keep the Scripture, if you will attend to under∣stand it ibid.
• ...Directions how to keep the Word Page 54
• 1 Observe the things whereby men have been drawn from it, and those are chiefly three ibid.
  • 1 The corruption of mans Nature ibid.
  • 2 Corrupt Principles ibid.
  • 3 Playing with the Scrip∣ture Page 55
• 2 Rules to keep particular Truths of Scripture in your heart, are ibid.
  • 1 Many Saints have suffe∣red willingly the loss of all to maintain them ibid.
  • 2 Consider that the Saints have generally ma••ntai∣ned these Doctrines in op∣position to the world ib
• III. To take heed to the Scrip∣ture, is to walk thereby Page 56
• 1 Therefore prize it much ib.
• 2 Love the truth you know ib.
• 3 Let it be your continual Companion ibid.