The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 4. Of the truth and weight of the points here delivered.

§. 4. Of the truth and weight of the points heere deliuered.

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⟩