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 1 Kings 14. [5- perform that, which of God is commanded. It teacheth 2 Chron. 20.[9.] patience in all adversity, in prosperity humbleness; 1.Cor. 15. [9.] what honour is due unto God, what mercy and charity 16.] in reading God's word. 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 vic1 John 5. [4] tory in all battles and temptations of our enemies, bodily Who profit most and ghostly. And in reading of God's word, he most profiteth not always 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 wrathfuld, 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 awaye ungodliness, than doth the continual reading or hearing of God's word, if it be joined with a godly mind, and a good affection to know and follow God's will. For without a single eye, 1 Cor. 14. [37.1 pure intent, and good mind, nothing is allowed for good What discom- before God. And, on the other side, nothing more darkeneth Christ and the glory of God, nor bringeth ing more blindness and all kinds of vices, than doth the ignorance of God's word. Isa. 5. [24.] Matt. 22. [12.] modities the ignorance of God's word bringeth. The Second Parth of the Sermon of the Knowledge of holy Scripture. IN the first part of this sermon', which exhorteth to the knowledge of holy scripture, was declared wherefore the changed] transformed A.B. ⚫ driveth away] expelleth A.B. The second part] The homily is not divided in A. i knowledge of] omitted B.C. -you shall In the first part- sciences. 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 neighbours 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, or a physician, that is ignorant in the books of law, astronomy, and physic. 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 God's word other sciences be good, and to be learned, yet no man excelleth all 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 men's fantasies 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, 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 vain excuses word (to colour this their fault) allege commonly two dissuading vain and feigned excuses. Some go about to excuse them ledge of God's by their own frailness and fearfulness, saying, that they word. dare not read holy scripture, lest through their ignorance The first. they should fall into any error. Other pretend that the The second. 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 Matt. 22. [29.] 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 - an astronomer, or a physician] and astronomer, or a physician, B.C. and astronomer or physician D. from the know How most and without all be read. 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 lie 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 it without danger of error. Read it humbly with a meek commodiously and lowly heart, to the intent you may gloriy God, and peril the holy not yourself, with the knowledge of it: and read it not scripture is to 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 placer; 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 is 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 togetherr one place with another, and where it cannot find out the meaning, it will pray, it will ask of other 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 prosper with only hearing; but he may much more prosper with both hearing and reading. This have I said as touching the fear to read, through ignorance of the person. 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, Scripture in some places is easy, and in some places derstood. that hath good and defer the rest until he wax stronger, and come to hard to be unmore 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 easy for every man to use and to walk in; as also of high hills and mountains, which few men can climbs unto. And whosoever giveth his mind to holy God leaveth no scriptures with diligent study and burning desire, it man untaught, cannot be, saith St. Chrysostom', that he should be left will to know without help. For either God Almighty will send him his word. some godly doctor to teach him, as he did to instruct Eunuchus, a nobleman of Ethiope, and treasurer unto queen Candace, who having affection 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. And in another How the knowplace Chrysostom saith, that man's human and worldly ledge of the wisdom or science needeth not to the understanding of be attained scripture, but the revelation of the Holy Ghost, who in- unto. spireth the true meaningd unto them, that with humility and diligence do search therefore. He that asketh shall Matt. 7. [7, 8 ] have, and he that seeketh shall find, and he that knocketh shall have the door open. If we read once, twice, or A good rule for thrice, and understand not, let us not cease so, but still the understanding of scripture. continue reading, praying, asking of other, 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 selfsame thing in other places is spoken more familiarly and plainly, to the capacity both of learned and unlearned. And those things in the scriptures that be plain to under- No man is exstand, and necessary for salvation, every man's duty is to the knowledge learn them, to print them in memory, and effectually to cf God's will. 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 * climb] ascend A.B. burning) fervent A.B. Saint Chrysostom] Saint John Chrysostom A.B.C. ⚫ left without help] destitute of help A.B. teach] instruct A.B. affection] a great affection A.B.C. more familiarly] familiarly A. scripture may cepted from would have ignorance to continue. 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 What persons apart. And briefly to conclude, as St. Augustin saith, by the scripture all men be amended, weak men be strengthened, 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 wholesome 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. The holy scripture is one of God's chief benefits. ing, use, and ing in holy Thus we have briefly touched some part of the commodities of God's holy word, which is one of God's chief and principal benefits, given and declared to mankind here in earth. Let us thank God. heartily for this his great and special gift, beneficial favour, and fatherly providence; let us be glad to receive this precious gift of our The right read-heavenly father; let us hear, read, and know these holy fruitful study rules, injunctions, and statutes of our Christian religion, and upon that we have made profession to God at our baptism; 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 may 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 wholesome doctrine and verities of them. And, by that means, in this world we shall have God's defencek, 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. Amen. hardness] difficulty A.B. b receive] revive A.B.C.D. I studies] meditations A.B. * defence] protection A.B. |