John 5:39

The fourth particular witnesse is that of the Scriptures, which (by occasion of the former chalenge) he exhorts them to search into, as being high in their estimation, and that deservedly, and as bearing witnesse unto him. Whence learn, 1. The Lord, in deep wisdome and love, hath prevented all occasion of delusion, and hath made his peoples way clear and sure, by setting down his minde in holy Writ, which is his infallible Word, and the rule for finding out truth, and deciding all controversies in Religion; Therefore, doth Christ remit them to the Scriptures, or written word, as to Gods rule in this controversie. 2. The way of salvation, and all things needful for attaining there; of, are fully revealed in Scripture, and was held forth even in the Old Testament, much more now both in Old and New; for, saith he, in them ye think ye have eternal life, which was a true thought; as to the Scriptures pointing out of the way, though they might be deluded in their application as to themselves, or thinking to be saved by the having or reading of it. See 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. 3. Albeit the Scriptures be plaine and clear in all things necessary to salvation, and the entrance thereof give light, Psal. 119.130. Yet they are a depth not soone comprehended, or by superficial search, but are a treasure in a Mine, to be found out, by digging and painful pondering of every word and sentence, (none whereof are expressed in vaine, or at randome, but all divine) by considering of the scope and dependance, and comparing Scripture with Scripture, and humble and single dependance upon God; for, he recommends the Scriptures to be searched. 4. This treasure will be found out by the painful searcher, and it is the common duty of all the visible Church to read and search into the Scriptures, that they may finde it; Therefore doth he enjoyne this search, as a thing possible, and enjoyneth it to the Jewes in common, who were his hearers at this time, see Acts 17.11. 5. As men, yea, and a visible Church may be very corrupt, and yet pretend to estimation of the Scriptures, and allow people the use thereof, And may be opposing Christ, and yet dreame of salvation by the Scriptures: (for, both these are true of the Jewes here) So men who professe hope of salvation that way, ought to prove the reality of it, by their being much in the study of the Scriptures, that they be not deluded in their hope, and may feed on it, and finde the comfort of what they solidly gather from it; for, Christ makes use of their granted principle to presse this search: Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal life. 6. The scope of the Scriptures, and particularly, of the old Testament, is, to point out and beare witnesse of Jesus Christ, of his person, natures, and offices, of his birth, life, death, sufferings, and the glory that should follow, and of the benefits that come through him: And it should be our aime in searching of the Scriptures, to finde out Christ in them, and what they witnesse of him; without which our study is to little purpose; Search the Scriptures, saith he, and they are they which testifie of me. See Acts 3.22, 23, 24.