UNto a Christian Man there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable , The praise of Holy Scripture . than the Knowledge of Holy Scripture , forasmuch as in it is contained God's true Word , setting forth his Glory , and also Man's Duty . The perfection of Holy Scripture . The knowledge of Holy Scripture is necessary . To whom the knowledge of Holy Scriture is sweet and pleasant . Who be enemies to Holy Scripture . And there is no Truth nor Doctrine necessary for our Justification and everlasting Salvation , but that is ( or may be , ) drawn out of that Fountain and Well of Truth . Therefore as many as be desirous to enter into the Right and Perfect way unto God , must apply their Minds to know Holy Scripture , without the which , they can neither sufficiently know God , and his Will , neither their Office and Duty . And as Drink is pleasant to them that be Drie , and Meat to them that be Hungry ; So is the Reading , Hearing , Searching , and Studying of Holy Scripture , to them that be desirous to know God or themselves , and to do his Will. And their Stomachs only do loath and abhor the Heavenly Knowledge and Food of God's Word , that be so drowned in worldly Vanities , that they neither favour God , nor any Godliness : For that is the cause , why they desire such Vanities , rather than the time knowledge of God . As they that are sick of an Ague , An apt Similitude , declaring of whom the Scripture is abhorred . An exhortation unto the diligent reading and searching of the holy Scripture . Matth. 4. The Holy Scripture is a sufficient Doctrine for our Salvation . What things we may learn in the Holy Scripture . whatsoever they eat and drink , ( though it be never so pleasant , ) yet it is as bitter to them as Wormwood , not for the bitterness of the Meat , but for the corrupt and bitter humor that is in their own Tongue and Mouth : Even so is the sweetness of God's Word bitter , not of itself , but only unto them that have their Minds corrupted with long custom of Sin , and love of this World . Therefore forsaking the corrupt judgment of fleshly Men , which care not but for their Carkass : Let us reverently hear and read Holy Scripture , which is the Food of the Soul : Let us diligently search for the Well of Life , in the Books of the New and Old Testament , and not run to the stinking Puddles of Mens Traditions ( devised by Mens Imagination , ) for our Justification and Salvation . For in Holy Scripture is fully contained what we ought to do , and what to eschew ; what to believe , what to love , and what to look for at God's hands at length . In these Books we shall find the Father from whom , the Son by whom , and the Holy Ghost in whom , all Things have their Being , and Keeping up ; And these Three Persons to be but One God , and One Substance . In these Books we may learn to know ourselves , how Vile and Miserable we be , and also to know God , how Good He is of Himself , and how He maketh us and all Creatures partakers of His Goodness . We may learn also in these Books to know God's Will and Pleasure , as much as ( for this present time , ) is convenient for us to know . And ( as the great Clerk and godly Preacher St. John Chrysostom saith , ) whatsoever is required to the Salvation of Man is fully contained in the Scripture of God . He that is Ignorant , may there learn , and have Knowledge . He that is Hard-hearted , and an obstinate Sinner , shall there find Everlasting Torments ( prepared of God's Justice , ) to make him afraid , and to mollifie or soften him . He that is oppressed with Misery in this World , shall there find Relief in the promises of Everlasting Life , to his great Consolation and Comfort . He that is wounded by the Devil unto death , shall find there Medicine whereby he may be restored again unto Health ; If it shall require to teach any Truth , or reprove any false Doctrine , to rebuke any Vice , to commend any Virtue , to give good Counsel , to Comfort or Exhort , or to do any other thing requisite for our Salvation ; All those things ( saith St. Chrysostome , ) we may learn plentifully of the Scripture . There is ( saith Fulgentius , ) abundantly enough , Holy Scripture ministreth sufficient Doctrine for all Degrees and Ages . Matth. 4. Luke 3. John 17. Psal. 19. What commodities and Profits , the knowledge of Holy Scripture bringeth . both for Men to eat , and Children to suck . There is , whatsoever is meet for all Ages , and for all Degrees and sorts of Men. These Books therefore ought to be much in our Hands , in our Eyes , in our Ears , in our Mouths , but most of all in our Hearts . For the Scripture of God is the Heavenly Meat of our Souls , the Hearing and Keeping of it maketh us Blessed , Sanctifieth us , and maketh us Holy ; it turneth our Souls , it is a light Lanthorn to our Feet , it is a sure , stedfast , and everlasting instrument of Salvation , it giveth Wisdom to the humble and lowly Hearts , it Comforteth , maketh Glad , Cheereth and Cherisheth our Conscience : It is a more excellent Jewel or Treasure , than any Gold or precious Stone , it is more sweet than Honey , or Honey-comb ; it is called the best part , which Mary did choose , for it hath in it everlasting Comfort . The Words of Holy Scripture be called Words of Everlasting Life : For they be God's Instruments ordained for the same purpose . They have power to turn through God's Promise , and they be effectual through God's assistence ; Luke 10. John 6. and ( being received in a faithful Heart , ) they have ever an Heavenly spiritual working in them : They are lively , quick , and mighty in Operation , and sharper than any two-edged Sword , and enter through , Heb. 4. even to the dividing asunder of the Soul and the Spirit , of the Joints and the Marrow ; Christ calleth him a Wise Builder , Matth. 7. that Buildeth upon his Word , upon his sure and substantial Foundation . By this Word of God , we shall be judged : For the Word that I speak ( saith Christ , John . 12. ) is it , that shall judge in the last day . He that keepeth the Word of Christ , is promised the Love and Favour of God , John 14. and that he shall be the Dwelling-place , or Temple of the Blessed Trinity . This Word , whosoever is diligent to Read , and in his Heart to Print that he readeth , the great affection to the transitory things of this World shall be minished in him , and the great desire of Heavenly things ( that be therein promised of God , ) shall increase in him . And there is nothing that so much strengthneth our Faith and Trust in God , that so much keepeth up Innocency and Pureness of the Heart , and also of outward Godly Life and Conversation , as continual Reading , and recording of God's Word . For that thing , which ( by continual use of Reading of Holy Scripture , and diligent searching of the same , ) is deeply Printed and Graven in the Heart , at length turneth almost into Nature . And moreover , the Effect and Virtue of God's Word is , to illuminate the Ignorant , and to give more light unto them , that faithfully and diligently read it , to comfort their Hearts , and to encourage them to perform that , which of God is commanded . 1 Reg. 14. 2 Per. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 1 John 5. It teacheth Patience in all Adversity , in Prosperity Humbleness : What Honour is due unto GOD : What Mercy and Charity to our Neighbour . It giveth good Counsel in all doubtful things . It sheweth of whom we shall look for Aid and help in all Perils , and that God is the only giver of Victory , in all Battels and Temptations of our Enemies , Who profit most in reading Gods Word . Bodily and Ghostly . And in reading of God's Word , he not always most profiteth that is most ready in turning of the Book , or in saying of it without the Book ; but he that is most turned into it , that is most inspired with the Holy Ghost , most in his Heart and Life altered and changed into that thing which he readeth : He that is daily less and less Proud , less Wrathful , less Covetous , and less desirous of worldly and vain Pleasures : He that daily ( forsaking his old vicious Life , ) increaseth in Virtue more and more . And to be short , there is nothing that more maintaineth Godliness of the Mind , and driveth away Ungodliness , than doth the continual Reading or Hearing of God's Word , Esa. 5. Matth. 22. 1 Cor. 14. What discommodities the ignorance of God's Word bringeth . if it be joyned with a Godly Mind , and a good Affection to know and follow God's Will. For without a single Eye , pure Intent , and good Mind , nothing is allowed for good before God . And on the other side , nothing more darkeneth Christ , and the Glory of God , nor bringeth in more Blindness , and all kinds of Vices , than doth the ignorance of God's Word .

IN the first part of this Sermon , which exhorteth to the Knowledge of Holy Scripture , was declared wherefore the knowledge of the same is necessary and profitable to all Men , and that by the true Knowledge and Understanding of Scripture , the most necessary points of our Duty towards God and our Neighbors are also known . Now as concerning the same Matter , you shall hear what followeth . If we profess Christ , Why be we not ashamed to be ignorant in his Doctrine ? Seeing that every Man is ashamed to be ignorant in that Learning which he professeth . That Man is ashamed to be called a Philosopher , which readeth not the Books of Philosophy , and to be called a Lawyer , an Astronomer , God's Word excelleth all Sciences . or Physisian , that is ignorant in the Books of Law , Astronomy , and Physick . How can any Man then say , that he professeth Christ and his Religion , if he will not apply himself ( as far forth as he can or may conveniently , ) to read and hear , and so to know the Books of Christ's Gospel and Doctrine ? Although other Sciences be good , and to be learned , yet no Man can deny , but this is the chief , and passeth all other incomparably . What excuse shall we therefore make ( at the last day before Christ ) that delight to read or hear Mens Phantasies and Inventions , more than his most Holy Gospel ? And will find no time to do that , which chiefly ( above all things , ) we should do , and will rather read other things than that , for the which we ought rather to leave reading of all other things . Let us therefore apply ourselves , as far forth as we can have time and leisure , Vain excuses diswading from the knowledge of God's Word . The First . The Second . Matth. 22. to know God's Word , by diligent hearing and reading thereof , as many as profess God , and have Faith and Trust in Him . But they that have no good affection to God's Word ( to colour this their fault , ) alledge commonly two vain and feigned excuses . Some go about to excuse them by their own frailness and fearfulness , saying , that they dare not read Holy Scripture , lest through their ignorance they should fall into any error . Others pretend , that the difficulty to understand it , and the hardness thereof , is so great , that it is meet to be read only of Clerks and learned Men. As touching the first : Ignorance of God's Word is the cause of all Error , as Christ himself affirmed to the Sadducees , saying that they erred , because they knew not the Scripture . How should they then eschew Error , that will be still ignorant ? And how should they come out of ignorance , that will not read nor hear that thing which should give them knowledge ? He that now hath most Knowledge was at the first Ignorant , yet he forbare not to read , for fear he should fall into Error : But he diligently read , lest he should remain in Ignorance , and through Ignorance in Error . / And if you will not know the Truth of God , ( a thing most necessary for you , ) lest you fall into Error , by the same reason you may then lye still , and never go , lest ( if you go , ) you fall into the Mire : Nor eat any good Meat , lest you take a Surfeit , nor sow your Corn , nor labour in your Occupation , nor use your Merchandise , for fear you lose your Seed , your Labour , your Stock , and so by that reason , it should be best for you to live idly , and never to take in hand to do any manner of good thing , lest peradventure some evil thing may chance thereof . And if you be afraid to fall into Error , by reading of Holy Scripture ; I shall shew you , how you may read without danger of Error . Read it humbly with a meek and lowly Heart , How most commodiously and without all peril the Holy Scripture is to be read . to the intent you may glorify God , and not yourself , with the knowledge of it : And read it not without daily praying to God , that he would direct your Reading to good effect : And take upon you to expound it no further , than you can plainly understand it . For ( as St. Augustin saith , ) the knowledge of Holy Scripture , is a great , large , and a high place , but the Door is very low , so that the high and arrogant Man cannot run in , but he must stoop low and humble himself , that shall enter into it . Presumption and Arrogancy are the Mother of all Error ; and Humility needeth to fear no Error . For Humility will only search to know the Truth , it will search , and will bring together one place with another , and where it cannot find out the meaning , it will pray , it will ask of others that know , and will not presumptuously and rashly define any thing which it knoweth not . Therefore the humble Man may search any Truth boldly in the Scripture , without any danger of Error . And if he be ignorant , he ought the more to read and to search Holy Scripture , to bring him out of Ignorance . I say not nay , but a Man may profit with only hearing , but he may much more profit , with both hearing and reading . This have I said , as touching the fear to read , through ignorance of the Person . Scripture in some places is easie , and in some places hard to be understood . And concerning the hardness of Scripture , he that is so weak that he is not able to brook strong Meat , yet he may suck the sweet and tender Milk , and defer the rest until he wax stronger , and come to more knowledge . For God receiveth the Learned and Unlearned , and casteth away none , but is indifferent unto all . And the Scripture is full , as well of low Valleys , plain Ways , and easie for every Man to use , and to walk in : As also of high Hills and Mountains , which few Men can climb unto . God leaveth no Man untaught , that hath good Will to know his Word . And whosoever giveth his Mind to Holy Scriptures , with diligent Study and burning Desire , it cannot be ( saith St. Chrysostome ) that he should be left without help . For either God Almighty will send him some Godly Doctor , to teach him , as he did to instruct the Eunuch , a Nobleman of Ethiope , and Treasurer unto Queen Candace , who having affecton to read the Scripture , ( although he understood it not ) yet for the desire that he had unto God's Word , God sent his Apostle Philip to declare unto him the true Sense of the Scripture that he read ; or else , if we lack a learned Man to instruct and teach us , yet God himself from above will give light unto our Minds , and teach us those things which are necessary for us , and wherein we be ignorant . How the knowledge of the Scripture may be attained unto . Matt. 7. A good rule for the understanding of Scripture . And in another place St. Chrysostome saith , that Man 's Human and Worldly Wisdom or Science is not needful to the understanding of Scripture ; but the revelation of the Holy Ghost , who inspireth the true meaning unto them , that with Humility and Diligence do search therefore . He that asketh shall have , and he that seeketh shall find , and he that knocketh , shall have the Door opened . If we read once , twice , or thrice , and understand not , let us not cease so , but still continue Reading , Praying , Asking of others , and so by still knocking ( at the last ) the Door shall be opened ( as St. Augustin saith , ) although many things in the Scripture be spoken in obscure mysteries , yet there is nothing spoken under dark Mysteries in one place , but the self-same thing in other places is spoken more familiarly and plainly , to the capacity both of learned and unlearned . No Man is excepted from the knowledge of God's Word . And those things in the Scripture that be plain to understand , and necessary for Salvation , every Man's Duty is to Learn them , to print them in Memory , and effectually to Exercise them . And as for the dark Mysteries , to be contented to be ignorant in them , until such time as it shall please God to open those things unto him . In the mean season , if he lack either aptness or opportunity , God will not impute it to his folly : But yet it behoveth not , that such as be apt should set aside reading , because some other be unapt to read : Nevertheless , for the hardness of such places , the reading of the whole ought not to be set apart . And briefly to conclude , What persons would have Ignorance to continue . ( as St. Augustine saith , ) by the Scripture all Men be amended , weak Men be strenthened , and strong Men be comforted . So that surely none be enemies to the reading of God's Word , but such as either be so ignorant , that they know not how wholsome a thing it is ; or else be so sick , that they hate the most comfortable Medicine that should heal them : Or so ungodly , that they would wish the People still to continue in blindness and ignorance of God .

Thus we have briefly touched some part of the Commodities of God's Holy Word , The Holy Scripture is one of God's chief Benefits . which is one of God's chief and principal Benefits given and declared to Mankind here on Earth . Let us thank God heartily for this his great and special Gift , beneficial Favour , and Fatherly Providence . The right reading , use , and fruitful studying in Holy Scripture . Psal. 50. Let us be glad to receive this precious Gift of our Heavenly Father . Let us Hear , Read , and Know these Holy Rules , Injunctions , and Statutes of our Christian Religion ; and upon that we have made profession to God at our Baptisme . Let us with fear and reverence lay up ( in the chest of our Hearts , ) these necessary and fruitful Lessons . Let us night and day muse , and have Meditation and Contemplation in them . Let us ruminate , and ( as it were , ) chew the Cud , that we have the sweet Juice , spiritual Effect , Marrow , Honey , Kernel , Taste , Comfort and Consolation of them . Let us stay , quiet , and certify our Consciences , with the most infallible Certainty , Truth , and perpetual assurance of them . Let us pray to God , ( the only Author of these Heavenly Studies , ) that we may Speak , Think , Believe , Live and Depart hence , according to the wholesom Doctrine and Verities of them . And by that means in this world we shall have God's Defence , Favour , and Grace , with the unspeakable solace of peace , and quietness of Conscience ; and after this miserable life we shall enjoy the endless Bliss and Glory of Heaven : which he Grant us all that died for us all , Jesus Christ , to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be all Honour and Glory , both now and everlastingly .