son in us, that hath some petty and poor
ability for matters of little moment, as the things of this life; but if
we once look upward to the glory of God, or eternal happiness, our eyes
are dazzled, our reason confounded, we cannot steadfastly behold it, Eph.
iv. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 13, 14.

Therefore the Lord hath been pleased to give us the scriptures, which may
be "a lamp unto our feet," and a guide unto our way; whereunto we shall do
well "to take heed, as unto [a candle or] a light that shineth in a dark
place, until the day dawn," 2 Peter i. 19. These are "able to make us wise
unto salvation." Let us hear what Paul speaks to Timothy, 2 Tim. iii. 16,
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God," &c.: where you have two
points of high concernment,--the authority of the scriptures, and their
utility. Their authority, for they are given by divine inspiration; their
utility, for they are "profitable for doctrine," &c., and can make us
perfect, and well "furnished to every good work."

The authority of it is in a peculiar way divine. "Of him and through him
are all things." All writings of men, according to the truth of the
scriptures, have some divinity in them, inasmuch as they have of truth,
which is a divine thing. Yet the holy scriptures are by way of excellency
attributed to God, for they are immediately inspired of God. Therefore
Peter saith that "the scriptures came not in old time by the will of man,
but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," 2 Peter i. 21.
God by his Spirit, as it were, acted the part of the soul in the prophets
and apostles; and they did no more but utter what the Spirit conceived.
The Holy Ghost inspired the matter and the words, and they were but
tongues and pens to speak and write it unto the people; there needed no
debate, no search in their own minds for the truth, no inquisition for
light; but light shined upon their souls so brightly, so convincingly,
that it put it beyond all question that it was the mind and voice of God.
You need not ask, How they did know that their dreams or visions were
indeed from the Lord, and that they did not frame any imagination in their
own hearts and taught it for his word, as many did? I say, you need no
more ask that than ask, How shall a man see light or know the sunshine?
Light makes itself manifest, and all other things. It is seen by its own
brightness. Even so the holy men of God needed not any mark or sign to
know the Spirit's voice,