by Richard Allestree
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
The Christians birth-right and duty, in the custody and use of the Holy Scripture.
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
"The Lively Oracles Given to Us by Richard Allestree" discusses the author's concerns about the misuse and disrespect of sacred Scriptures in the current age. He notes that people are playing with and making light of these holy texts, and this is not only due to the impulsive use of words but also stems from malicious hearts and the pursuit of sensual pleasures. The author feels it's necessary to defend and emphasize the importance of the Scriptures, highlighting their inherent excellence and urging people to treat them with reverence and obedience.
Allestree intends to achieve this by appealing to love, hope, fear, shame, and sorrow, and by addressing reason and evidence. The ultimate goal is to encourage readers to study the Scriptures themselves and experience their transformative power.
He emphasizes the significance of studying and living by the Scriptures, as they will be the standard by which all individuals are judged in the end. The author emphasizes that even if miraculous events were to occur, those who do not heed the teachings of the Scriptures would still not be convinced, as shown in the biblical story of the rich man and Lazarus.
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Table of Contents
THE PREFACE
SECT. I. The several Methods of God's communicating the knowledge of himself.
SECT. II. The divine Original, Endearments, and Authority of the Holy Scripture.
SECT. III. The subject matter treated of in the Holy Scripture is excellent, as is also its end and design.
SECT. IV. The Custody of the holy Scripture is a privilege and right of the Christian Church, and every member of it; which cannot without impiety to God, and injustice unto it and them, be taken away or impeached.
SECT. V. The Scripture has great propriety and fitness toward the attainment of its excellent end.
SECT. VI. The suffrage of the primitive Christian Church, concerning the propriety and fitness which the Scripture hat towards the attainment of its excellent end.
SECT. VII. Historical reflections upon the events which have happened in the Church since the with-drawing of the holy Scripture.
SECT. VIII. Necessary cautions to be used in the reading of the holy Scriptures.