A declaration of the ten holy co[m]maundementes of almighty God written Exo. 20. Deu.…A declaration of the ten holy co[m]maundementes of allmygthye God wroten Exo. 20. Deu.…

Caput I. What the laws is.

Caput I. What the lawes is.

Seeing that the lest part of the scripture requireth in the writer both judgment / an circumspection / that the interpretation of one place / repung not the text of God's word / in an other place: Howe much more diligence / circumspection / fear / and love / requireth the too tables of the ten commandments / in the which is contained the effect / and hole some of all the scripture. And what so over is said / or written by the Prophets / Christ / or the Apostles / it is none other thing / but the interpretation / and exposition / of these ten words / or ten commandments. So that it were no need at all / to require the mind of any Doctor / or expositor to know the will / and pleasure of God / manifested unto the world in his word / would they that hath leisure to read the scripture / study therein themselves. Or such as be appointed / to the ministry ⟨p. II⟩of the church / in there sermones declared / unto the unlearned what / and which commandment / the Evangelist / Prophet / or History that he preacheth / declareth. If this were done: then were it no need / to bestow so many years in reading the gloss / and interpretation of man. For let him writ / or say / what he pleaseth: he that understandeth the text / shall be always able / to judge / whether he writ true or false. and so stablish his faith / and knowledge / upon the word of God: and not upon the interpretation of man. conform all his life to this rule and canon of the ten commandments / and not unto the decrees of man / as God commandeth Deut. 4. These ten words / hath ben largely / and at length written upon / by many great / and famous Clerks. So not withstanding as they have yet left sufficient matter unto there successors / where upon they may exercise / both there learning / and eloquence / as in a thing most inscrutable. There is no acuity / nor excellency of wit / no learning / no eloquence / that can comprehend / or compass the doctrine / and mystery of the learning / that is contained in these commandments. They teach abundantly / and sufficiently / in few words / how to know God / to follow virtue / and to come to eternal life. Wherefore it behoveth every man of God / to know as perfectly these commandments / as he