A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

8 Lastly, the answer that seems to me most probable and profitable; and wherein I have few or none before me, doubtless many will follow me; is this. The foundation is ever more surer than the building: that being sound, though the edifice it self should fall, will firmly stand. Now the new Testament was not yet written; I mean the Gospel of the four Evangelists: nor was it collected into a volume till eight and twenty years after. But the Prophets were extant, and their writings miraculously preserved: these the Jews readily had, and might peruse at their pleasure. Therefore the mere and naked report of Christs glory on the Mountain, was not so sure as the Prophecy inspired by God, and engraven in the tables of their hearts. And this authentical proof was the surest, until the day did fully dawn, and the divine hand had made the Gospel known and visible. Thus were the things related never so true in themselves, the question here is not concerning the Trueness, but the Sureness: and certainly thus far, the Scriptures of the Prophets were surer to the Jews, than the unwritten doctrines of the Apostles, or the naked delivery of their particular visions.

8 Lastly, the answer that seems to me most probable and profitable; and wherein I have few or none before me, doubtlesse many will follow me; is this. The foundation is ever more surer than the building: that being sound, though the edifice it selfe should fall, will firmely stand. Now the new Testament was not yet written; I meane the Gospell of the foure Evangelists: nor was it collected into a volume till eight and twenty yeares after. But the Prophets were extant, and their writings miraculously preserved: these the Iewes readily had, and might peruse at their pleasure. Therefore the meere and naked report of Christs glory on the Mountaine, was not so sure as the Prophecie inspired by God, and ingraven in the tables of their hearts. And this authenticall proofe was the surest, untill the day did fully dawne, and the divine hand had made the Gospell knowen and visible. Thus were the things related never so true in themselves, the question here is not concerning the Truenesse, but the Surenesse: and certainly thus farre, the Scriptures of the Prophets were surer to the Iewes, than the unwritten doctrines of the Apostles, or the naked delivery of their particular visions.