his revelation needed not the light of any other
thing, it was light itself. It would certainly overpower the soul and
mind, and leave no place of doubting. God, who cannot be deceived, and can
deceive no man, hath delivered us this doctrine. O with what reverence
shall we receive it, as if we heard the Lord from heaven speak. If you
ask, How you shall be persuaded that the scriptures are the word of
God,--His very mind opened to men and made legible. Truly there are some
things cannot be well proved, not because they are doubtful but because
they are clear of themselves, and beyond all doubt and exception.
Principles of arts must not be proved, but supposed, till you find by
trial and experience afterward that they were indeed really true. There
are, no question, such characters of divinity and majesty imprinted in the
very scriptures themselves, that whosoever hath the eyes of his
understanding opened, though he run he may read them, and find God in
them. What majesty is in the very simplicity and plainness of the
scriptures! They do not labour to please men's ears, and adorn the matter
with the curious garments of words and phrases, but represent the very
matter itself to the soul, as that which in itself is worthy of all
acceptation, and needs no human eloquence to commend it. Painting doth
spoil native beauty. External ornaments would disfigure some things that
are of themselves proportioned and lovely, therefore the Lord chooses a
plain and simple style which is foolishness to the world, but in these
swaddling clothes of the scriptures, and this poor cottage the child
Jesus, the Lord of heaven and earth, is contained. There is a jewel of the
mysterious wisdom of God, and man's eternal blessedness, in this mineral.
What glorious and astonishing humility is here! What humble and homely
glory and majesty also! He is most high, and yet none so lowly. What
excellent consent and harmony of many writers in such distant times!
Wonder at it. All speak one thing to one purpose,--to bring men to God, to
abase all glory, and exalt him alone. Must it not be one spirit that hath
quickened all these and breathes in them all this one heavenly song of
"glory to God on high and good will towards men." Other writers will
reason these things with you to convince you and persuade you, and many
think them more profound and deep for that reason, and do despise the
baseness of the scriptures, but to them whose eyes are opened, the majesty