The first point to be noted is Christs Preface: whereby he showeth, that what he delivereth concerning this point, is both a certain and infallible truth: and also a point of weight and moment. Christ averreth it upon his authority and credit. I say (saith he) I that am a faithful and true witness, I who cannot lye, I who am the very truth, I say. So as, of what authority our Lord, the eternal Son of God is, this which he hath here delivered is also, namely, true,1 certain, infallible, unchangeable, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but his word shall not pass away. With this authority doth Christ* oft ratify and confirm that exposition which he gave of the Moral Law: and opposeth it to the light credit of the ancient Doctors of the Jews, saying, You have heard it said of old, &c. But I say unto you, &c. so as his authority is more then any others can be, for Christ is the only true Doctor of the Church: as he himself testifieth of himself,3 saying, One is your Doctor, even Christ. He hath power in his own name, by his own authority to deliver any thing to his Church: which power is intimated under this imperial phrase (I say.) And herein his manner of teaching is different from all others. For the usual phrases of the Prophets were,4 Thus saith⟨p. 571⟩ the Lord: 5The word of the Lord: The burden of the word of the Lord: with the like. To make doubt of any thing which Christ saith, is to call his authority into question. If therefore the word spoken by the Prophets was steadfast, how much more steadfast is the Word spoken by the Lord himself, Christ Jesus?
THe first point to be noted is Christs Preface: whereby he sheweth, that what he deliuereth concerning this point, is both a certaine and infallible truth: and also a point of weight and moment. Christ auerreth it vpon his authoritie and credit. I say (saith he) I that am a faithfull and true witnesse, I who cannot lye, I who am the very truth, I say. So as, of what authoritie our Lord, the eternall Son of God is, this which he hath here deliuered is also, namely, true,1 certaine, infallible, vnchangeable, Heauen and earth shall passe away, but his word shall not passe away. With this authority doth Christ* oft ratifie and confirme that exposition which he gaue of the Morall Law: and opposeth it to the light credit of the ancient Doctors of the Iewes, saying, You haue heard it said of old, &c. But I say vnto you, &c. so as his authoritie is more then any others can be, for Christ is the onely true Doctor of the Church: as he himselfe testifieth of himselfe,3 saying, One is your Doctor, euen Christ. He hath power in his own name, by his own authoritie to deliuer any thing to his Church: which power is intimated vnder this imperial phrase (I say.) And herein his manner of teaching is different from all others. For the vsuall phrases of the Prophets were,4 Thus saith⟨p. 571⟩ the Lord: 5The word of the Lord: The burden of the word of the Lord: with the like. To make doubt of any thing which Christ saith, is to call his authority into question. If therefore the word spoken by the Prophets was stedfast, how much more stedfast is the Word spoken by the Lord himselfe, Christ Iesus?
- 1Mar. 13. 31.
- *Mat. 5. 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44.
- 3Math. 23. 8.
- 4Isa. 56. 1.
- 5Jer. 2. 1, 4. Mal. 1. 1.Ier. 2. 1, 4. Mal. 1. 1.
