An Help for the Ignorant, WSC Question 2
By John Brown of Haddington
By John Brown of Haddington
QUEST. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us, how we may glorify and enjoy him?
ANSW. The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Q. Whence is it that we need a rule to direct us how to glorify and enjoy God?
A. Because God is our sovereign, and being infinite, is so much unknown to us.
Q. Who alone could give us a rule for these ends?
A. God only; for he only has sufficient wisdom and authority to prescribe a sufficient rule.
Q. What is the rule God hath given for man’s direction?
A. The declaration of his own will.
Q. How did God shew this rule to Adam before the fall?
A. Mostly by the light of nature within, and the works of creation and providence without him.
Q. Did he not shew his will wholly to Adam by these means?
A. No; the time of the Sabbath, and the prohibition to eat of the tree of knowledge, were made known to him by immediate revelation.
Q. How far are the light of nature, and works of creation and providence, now of use as a rule to men?
A. They so far make known the perfections of God, and part of our duty, as renders us inexcusable when we disobey him, Romans 1:20 and 2:14-15 .
Q. Are these things now a sufficient rule to lead us to happiness?
A. No; for sin hath made us blind and foolish in the matters of God, 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Q. If our reason were as extensive as ever Adam’s was, could it now lead us to holiness or happiness?
A. No; for sin hath fixed a gulf between God and us, through which our reason, however extensive, could never show us a passage, Iaiah 49:24.
Q. Hath God given us any rule that can direct sinful men to holiness and happiness?
A. Yes; the Bible or holy scriptures.
Q. Why is that rule called the Bible or book?
A. Because it is far better than all other books.
Q. What makes it so?
A. It is the word of God, the testament of Christ, and of the greatest use to men.
Q. Why are the scriptures called the word of God?
A. Because they were given by the inspiration of his Spirit, 2 Peter 1:21.
Q. How do you prove the scriptures to be the word of God?
A. By the stamp of God that is to be seen upon them; for none can speak like him, John 6:63.
Q. What is that stamp of God that is imprinted upon the scriptures?
A. That majesty, holiness, light, and efficacy that appears in them, Psalm 19:7-9.
Q. Wherein does the majesty of the scriptures appear?
A. God is therein described, and speaks in the most lofty manner: therein sins are forbidden which God only can know or condemn; duties required that God only can command; and promises and threatenings are made which God only can accomplish , Isaiah 57:15-16.
Q. What divine holiness appears in the scriptures?
A. There every holy thing is strictly required, and every unholy thing is forbidden; and all the means and motives to perform duty, and avoid sin, are clearly shown, and warmly pressed, I Peter 1:13-23.
Q. What divine light appears in the scriptures?
A. There mysteries are revealed which God only knew, or can comprehend, Colssians 1:26.
Q. What are some of these mysteries?
A. The mystery of three persons in one Godhead, of Christ, the Son of God, his becoming man, and our union with him, etc. 1 John 5:8, etc.
Q. What divine efficacy or power have the scriptures?
A. They are the means of convincing, converting, and quickening dead and obstinate sinners; and of comforting those that are cast down, Psalm 19:7-8.
Q. By what other arguments may we be convinced that the fcriptures are the word of God?
A. By their antiquity, harmony, scope, success, accomplishment of prophecies, and confirmation by miracles, and the blood of martyrs.
Q. What is their antiquity?
A. Their being written in part before all other books; and giving us the only rational account of ancient things, such as, the creation, fall, flood, dispersion, etc.
Q. What do you call the harmony of the scriptures?
A. The agreement of every part one with another.
Q. How is this a proof of their being the word of God?
A. Because it is impossible such a number of writers, in so many different ages and places, could ever of themselves so agree, in opposition to the common inclinations of men.
Q. Does no part of scripture really contradict another?
A. No; though some parts may seem to contradict others.
Q. How may seemingly contradictory scriptures be reconciled?
A. By considering that these different scriptures either speak of different things, or of different views of the same thing.
Q. What is the scope and design of the scriptures?
A. To humble all men, and give all the glory to God.
Q. What success have the scriptures had?
A. The gross manners of many nations have been reformed; and multitudes of most wicked men have been gained to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, by means of the scriptures, though published by the meanest instruments, notwithstanding of the combined opposition of hell and earth against them.
Q. What prophecies does the accomplishment of, prove the scriptures be the word of God?
A. The prophecies of Israel’s entrance into and deliverance from Egypt and Babylon; the destruction of Chaldea, Egypt, and Tyre; the rise and fall of the Persian, Grecian, and and Roman empires; the birth and death of Christ, etc.
Q. How does the accomplishment of such prophecies prove the divinity of the scriptures?
A. Because none but God could foretell future events, depending on a multitude of second causes, in so particular a manner, and at such a distant time, before they took place.
Q. What miracles have been wrought to confirm the scriptures?
A. The plagues of Egypt, dividing the Red Sea, causing the sun to stand still, raising the dead, giving sight to such as were born blind, &c .
Q. How do miracles confirm the divinity of the scriptures?
A. Because God would never work miracles to confirm any imposture.
Q. But may not Satan, etc. work miracles?
A. He may work counterfeit, but no true miracles.
Q. Wherein does a counterfeit miracle differ from a true one?
A. Besides a difference in their nature, all true miracles confirm doctrines leading to a virtuous and holy life; but counterfeit miracles always confirm falsehoods and wicked practices, Deuteronomy 13:5.
Q. Why does not God still work miracles for the confirmation of the scriptures?
A. Because they are only necessary to establish truth at first, and to awaken the world to confider and receive it; and if always wrought, would be esteemed common things, and make no impression on mens’ minds.
Q. How do the sufferings of martyrs prove the divinity of the scriptures?
A. So many millions could never have borne such cruel torments for their adherence to the scriptures, with such calmness, patience, and joy, if God had not assisted them.
Q. Why might not good angels be the authors of the scriptures?
A. Because these could never pretend to be God, nor speak without his commission.
Q. Why might not Satan have been their author?
A. Because they wholly tend to the ruin of his kingdom and interest in the world, 2 Timothy 3:15.
Q. How do you prove the fcriptures cannot be a forgery and imposture of the writers?
A. Because the writers candidly relate their own failings; and the tendency of the scriptures to condemn all deceits, and sinful inclinations and practices, under the severest penalties, exposed the penmen to the rage and hatred of the world: whereas impostors conceal their own vices, and flatter mens corruptions, in order to procure carnal pleasures, honours, or riches to themselves.
Q. Can an unbeliever discern the stamp of God in the scriptures, or be by the above arguments savingly convinced that they are the word of God?
A. No; but he may be rationally convinced that they are so.
Q. What hinders unbelievers from discerning the stamp of God in the scriptures when they read them?
A. Satan hath blinded their minds, 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Q. How may we attain to a saving persuasion that the scriptures are the word of God?
A. Only by the Spirit’s powerful application of them to our heart.
Q. What is the formal reason and ground of a saving faith of what the scriptures teach?
A. The authority and faithfulness of God therein spiritually discerned.
Q. Does the authority of the scriptures depend on the church?
A. No; for the church is founded on, and derives all her authority from them, Ephesians 2:20.
Q. Why then is the church called the pillar and ground of truth?
A. Because the church keeps and publishes the scripture, Romans 3:2; Isaiah 2:3.
Q. Do the Scriptures derive any authority from man’s reason?
A. No; they derive it from God only.
Q. If we find in them any thing we reckon contrary to reason, may we reject it?
A. No; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God’s thoughts in the scriptures higher than our thoughts, Isaiah 55:9.
Q. Why is the Bible called the scriptures or writings?
A. Because of its distinguished excellency above all other writings, 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
Q. Why was the word of God committed to writing?
A. For the better preserving and spreading of it.
Q. Why would God have his word preserved?
A. For the comfort and establishment of his church.
Q. Why would he have his word propagated or spread?
A. For the increase and enlargement of his church.
Q. Would it have been safe to have still trusted revelation to the memories of men?
A. No; for these are very weak and deceitful.
Q. Did not God preserve his church for 2500 years from Adam to Moses without the writing of his word?
A. Yes (though he revealed his will by visions, etc.).
Q. Why might he not as well do so still?
A. Because all that God had revealed of his will before Moses was easily remembered; and men lived so long, that a few persons conveyed revelation pure and uncorrupted to the church till that time.
Q. Why are the scriptures called a testament?
A. Because therein Christ bequeaths his rich legacies and blessings to sinful men, Luke 22:29.
Q. Whereby is this testament confirmed?
A. By the death of Christ the testator.
Q. Into how many testaments is the Bible divided?
A. Into two, the Old and the New.
A. Which is the Old Testament?
A. That which begins with Genesis, and ends with Malachi.
Q. Why is it called the Old Testament?
A. Because it was first published, and contains that dispensation of the covenant of grace which is now ceased.
Q. By what death of Christ was the Old Testament confirmed?
A. By his typical death, in the ancient sacrifices, Revelation 13:8.
Q. Which is the New Testament?
A. That which begins with Matthew, and ends with the Revelation.
Q. Why is this called the New Testament?
A. Because it was last published, and contains that more perfect dispensation of the covenant of grace which is still present.
Q. By what death of Christ was this Testament confirmed?
A. By his actual death, in his own person.
Q. How do the Old and New Testament agree?
A. God in Christ is the author of both; all the blessings of the new covenant are bequeathed in both; and the glory ofGod, and salvation of men, is the end of both.
Q. Wherein do the Old and New Testament differ?
A. In duration and excellency, Hebrews 8:6, 13.
Q. How do they differ in duration?
A. The Old continued from Adam’s fall till Christ’s coming and death, and the New from thence continues till the end of the world.
Q. Is the Old Testament scripture now of no force?
A. Its truths are still of as much force as ever, but its types are ceased, Hebrews 10:1-2.
Q. How do these Testaments differ in excellency?
A. The New excels the Old in many things.
Q. Wherein does the New Testament excel the Old?
A. In evidence, extent, gifts, and worship.
Q. How does the New Testament excel in evidence?
A. The Old Testament darkly pointed out Christ as to come; but the New clearly points him out as already come, 2 Corinthinans 3:14.
Q. How does the New Testament excel in extent?
A. The Old Testament was mostly confined to the Jews; but the New extends to all nations, and many more are by it converted to Christ, Revelation 7:9.
Q. How does the New Testament excel in gifts?
A. The gifts of the Spirit are more plentiful and powerful under the New than under the Old, Acts 2.
Q. How does the New Testament excel in worship?
A. The Old Testament worship was more carnal and burdensome; but the worship under the New is more free, spiritual, and easy, Galatians 7:7.
Q. For what end has God given us the scriptures?
A. To be a rule to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him.
Q. What kind of a rule is the holy scripture?
A. A perfect, plain, absolute, infallible, and only rule.
Q. How is the scripture a perfect rule?
A. As all we are bound to believe or do, in order to salvation, is therein revealed, either in express words, or by necessary consequence, 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
Q. How do you prove, that plain and necessary consequences, drawn from the express words of scripture, are a part of our rule?
A. Because Christ proved the resurrection against the Sadducees by a scripture-consequence; and the apostles often reasoned in this manner, Matthew 22:31; Hebrews 1 and 2, etc.
Q. How is the scripture a plain rule?
A. Because all things necessary to be believed and done, in order to salvation, are so clearly revealed in some place thereof, as every man that has the exercise of reason, by a diligent use of the scripture, may know them, Psalm 119:105; 130.
Q. What should we do that we may rightly understand the scripture when we read, hear, or think of it?
A. We should cry to God to open our eyes, that we may behold the wonders of his law, Psal. 119:18.
Q. How are the scriptures an absolute rule?
A. Because the Spirit of God speaking in them is the supreme judge of all controversies, decrees, and doctrines of men, Matthew 22:29.
Q. May not the scriptures be tried and judged by other rules?
A. No; every thing is to be tried by them, but they are to be tried by no standard or rule.
Q. How are the scriptures an infallible rule?
A. Because they contain the will of the God that cannot lie, Titus 1:2.
Q. How are the scriptures the only rule?
A. Because nothing else can direct us aright how to glorify, and enjoy God, Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 8:20.
Q. Why may not unwritten traditions be received as a part of our rule?
A. Because they are cursed that add to, or take from the word of God; and such as speak not according to it, have no light in them, Revelation 22:18.
Q. Why may not the spirit or light within men be a part of our rule?
A. Because every spirit and light that is without the word is darkness, and a spirit of error, 1 John 4:1; 6.
Q. In what language were the scriptures first written?
A. The Old Testament in Hebrew [and a small part in Aramaic], and the New in Greek.
Q. Why must they be translated into the languages of every nation whither they come?
A. That all may read them.
Q. Why ought all men to read the scriptures?
A. Because God often commands it, and the knowledge of the scriptures is very excellent and useful, John 5:39.
Q. How does it appear that the scripture is so excellent and useful?
A. It contains all sovereign remedies against distress, and all true comfort under it; all spiritual armour for defence of our souls; and is an unerring guide to glory, 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
Q. Are the apocryphal books, as Tobit, Judith, etc. any part of the word of God?
A. No.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Because the Jewish church, to which the oracles of God were then committed, never acknowledged them as the word of God; nor have they the stamp of God upon them, but contain several things false, and disagreeable to the word of God.
Q. How may the scriptures be more generally distinguished?
A. Into the law and the gospel.
Q. What is the law of God?
A. It is that declaration of his will to reasonable creatures, whereby he shows them their duty, and binds them to it.
Q. What parts of scripture belong to the law?
A. All these that require any duty to be performed by men, Exod. 22:3-17; 1 John 3:23; Isaiah 55:6-7.
Q. How are scripture-laws usually distinguished?
A. Into the ceremonial, judicial, and moral.
Q. Which are the ceremonial laws?
A. These that directed the Old Testament church concerning the types and ceremonies used in their religious worship.
Q. Which are the judicial laws?
A. These which directed the Jews concerning the affairs of their state, as a nation separated to the Lord.
Q. What is the moral law?
A. That which equally and always binds all men to the whole of their duty.
Q. How is the gospel usually distinguished?
A. Into the gospel largely taken, and the gospel strictly taken, Acts 16:31. Isaiah 55:4.
Q. What is the gospel strictly taken?
A. It is the glad tidings of salvation to lost sinners through Christ.
Q. What parts of scripture belong to this?
A. All these that offer Christ, and promise any good thing through him to sinful men, Revelation 22:17.
Q. Wherein do the law and the gospel strictly taken agree?
A. God is the author, his glory the end, and Christ the confirmer of both.
Q. Wherein do they differ?
A. The law requires good in and from us; but the gospel declares Christ has done, and will do all for and in us, and freely brings all good things to us, Romans 10:4-5.
Q. Do not the law and gospel concur with and promote the honour of one another?
A. Yes.
Q. How does the law concur with the gospel?
A. It drives men to embrace the grace of the gospel, and teaches them how to improve [themselves upon] it, and condemns them to more dreadful wrath if they flight it, Romans 3:20.
Q. How does the gospel honour the law?
A. It brings in Christ as perfectly fulfilling it as a covenant, and strengthens and encourages us to obey it as a rule.
Q. If the law and gospel so well agree, how is it that men, by cleaving to the law as a covenant, flight the grace of the gospel?
A. Because they abuse the law, in seeking justification by the works of it.
Q. Is not law and gospel sometimes contained in one and the same sentence of scripture?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the gospel largely taken?
A. The whole word of God.
Q. How can the whole word of God be called gospel, or good tidings, since it brings many sad tidings to sinners, in requiring duties they cannot perform, and threatening wrath they cannot bear?
A. Because all these tend to promote and maintain the honour of the free grace of the gospel, Hebrews 10:29.
Q. How may the scriptures be more particularly divided?
A. Into histories, prophecies, threatenings, promises, commands, and doctrines.
Q. Which are the histories of scripture?
A. Such as record the facts and events that have come to pass.
Q. Which are the prophecies of scripture?
A. Such as foretell what has or shall come to pass.
Q. What are the threatenings?
A. All such scriptures as denounce God’s wrath against men for their sins.
Q. What are the promises?
A. All such scriptures as signify God’s will to bestow any good on us.
Q. May the same sentence be both a promise and threatening?
A. Yes; every threatening to destroy a believer’s enemies is a promise to him.
Q. How are the promises usually distinguished?
A. Into absolute and conditional.
Q. What is a conditional promise?
A. That wherein God engages to do us some good, if we have some good quality, or do some good work, Acts 16:31.
Q. What is an absolute promise?
A. That wherein God engages to bestow good upon us, without requiring any condition in or from us, Isaiah 45:24.
Q. Which scriptures are commands or precepts?
A. Such as require us to be, do, or avoid any thing.
Q. What call you doctrines?
A. All such scriptures as show us the nature, qualities, and connections between persons and things; as what God, Christ, man, etc. is; and how they stand related to one another.
Q. Is every word of scripture equally true, and of divine authority?
A. Yes.
Q. Is every word of scripture of equal weight and importance?
A. No.
Q. How are the truths of scripture distinguished with respect to their weight and importance?
A. Into fundamental and not fundamental truths.
Q. What mean you by fundamental truths?
A. Such truths as we cannot be saved without the knowledge, belief, and improvement of.
Q. What are some of these truths?
A. That there is one God in three persons; that man is fallen, and cannot recover himself; that Christ has assumed our nature, and paid our debt; that we are justified only by faith in his righteousness; that being born again, and made holy, is necessary to our entrance into heaven, etc.
Q. Why call you these fundamental truths?
A. Because other divine truths are built upon them.