1. That truly to understand the Scriptures according to the mind of the Holy Ghost that gave them forth, and by whose inspiration they were indited, it is most necessary that we implore the help of that blessed Spirit, that did reveal them to those that penned them; because, as S. _James_ saith: _If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. For every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom if no variableness, neither shadow of turning._ And it is said of the Disciples of Christ: _Then opened he their understandings, that they might understand the Scriptures_. So that all Men whether wise or unwise, learned or unlearned, have need of the teaching and spirit of Christ to open their understandings to understand the Scriptures; and therefore have all men need of faithful and fervent Prayers, that God may enlighten their minds in the understanding of them; otherwayes, they are but as blind Men, that go without a guide, and so must needs fall into the Ditch of ignorance and error. 2. That a most due and diligent collation and comparison be made of the several versions, with the Fountains and Originals themselves, that so the truth of the translations may be ascertained. For if an error in this point be committed, all the expositions and deductions drawn from thence, must needs be erroneous and vitious. 3. That there be a due comparing of the Antecedents and Consequents in the context, that the purpose, scope, theme, arguments, disposition and method, may be perfectly and maturely considered: otherwise the sleighting or omitting any one of these particular points, the whole place may be mistaken, and an error easily faln into. 4. There must a due and serious consideration be had of the Phrases and manner of speaking; especially in regard of that language it was first written in: For every several language hath its peculiar Phrases and forms of speaking, which may not be proper in another tongue, the not regarding of which may sooner lead into a great deviation from the genuine sense of the place. 5. That there be a most diligent comparing of the place of the Scripture to be explicated, with others of the same similitude or dissimilitude, For oftentimes one Scripture doth unfold and open another, and one Text doth enucleate and make plain another: Which for want of a due comparison one with another, may occasion the mistaking of the true sense of the place that is to be expounded. 6. And chiefly in explicating any place, regard must be had to the Analogy of faith: Because the Scriptures do not contradict one another, especially in the Articles of faith, and the chief points necessary to be believed. [Sidenote: 2 Pet. 1. 20.] [Sidenote: Rom. 8. 7.] [Sidenote: Isai. 29. 14.] [Sidenote: 1 Cor. 1. 19, 20.]