A Golden Chain

Object. II. That Scripture is Scripture, is a point to be believed: but that is a tradition unwritten: and therefore one tradition there is not written, that we are to believe. Ans. That the books of the old and new Testament are Scripture, it is to be gathered and believed not upon bare tradition, but from the very books themselves, on this manner. Let a man that is endued with the spirit of discerning, read the several books, withal let him consider the professed author thereof which is God himself, and the matter therein contained, which is a most divine and absolute truth full of piety; the manner and form of speech, which is full of majesty in the simplicity of words: the end whereat they wholly aim, which is the honour and glory of God alone, &c. & he shall be resolved that Scripture is Scripture, even by the Scripture it self. Yea, and by this means he may discern any part of Scripture, from the writings of men whatsoever. Thus then scripture proves it self to be scripture: & yet we despise not the universal consent or tradition of the Church in this case; which though it do not persuade the conscience, yet is it a notable inducement to move us to reverence, & regard the writings of the Prophets and Apostles. It will be said, where is it written that scripture is scripture? I answer, not in any one particular place or book of scripture, but in every line and page of the whole Bible to him that can read with the spirit of discerning, and can discern the voice of the true pastor, as the sheep of Christ can do.

Obiect. II. That Scripture is Scripture, is a point to be beleeued: but that is a tradition vnwritten: and therefore one tradition there is not written, that we are to beleeue. Ans. That the bookes of the old and new Testament are Scripture, it is to be gathered and beleeued not vpon bare tradition, but from the very bookes themselues, on this manner. Let a man that is indued with the spirit of discerning, read the seuerall bookes, withall let him consider the professed author thereof which is God himselfe, and the matter therein contained, which is a most diuine and absolute truth full of pietie; the manner and forme of speach, which is full of maiestie in the simplicitie of words: the ende whereat they wholly aime, which is the honour and glorie of God alone, &c. & he shall be resolued that Scripture is Scripture, euen by the Scripture it selfe. Yea, and by this meanes he may discerne any part of Scripture, from the writings of mē whatsoeuer. Thus thē scripture prooues it selfe to be scripture: & yet we despise not the vniuersall cōsent or traditiō of the Church in this case; which though it do not perswade the consciēce, yet is it a notable inducement to mooue vs to reuerence, & regard the writings of the Prophets and Apostles. It will be said, where is it written that scripture is scripture? I answer, not in any one particular place or booke of scripture, but in euery line and page of the whole Bible to him that can read with the spirit of discerning, and can discerne the voice of the true pastour, as the sheep of Christ can doe.