A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

A third doubt to be resolved by this doctrine, is, How to know the particular truth in matters of religion, when as sundry men professing the same religion, be of divers opinions. Answ. Still we must have recourse to this faithful witness and Prophet of the Church, he is the Judge of all controversies in religion; and in the scriptures, if we mark them, we shall see his judgement. Quest. But if there be divers opinions about scripture it self, and every one give a several sense unto it, who must then be Judge? Answ. In this diversity of opinions, yea, of the scriptures themselves, we must still have recourse to Christ, and that in the scriptures alone: for though there were a thousand diverse expositions of one place, yet by the scope and circumstances thereof, conferring it with other like places of scripture, a man shall be able to find out the true sense; for Christ in the scripture expoundeth himself.

A third doubt to be resolued by this doctrine, is, How to know the particular truth in matters of religion, when as sundry men professing the same religion, bee of diuers opinions. Answ. Still wee must haue recourse to this faithfull witnesse and Prophet of the Church, he is the Iudge of all controuersies in religion; and in the scriptures, if we marke them, we shall see his iudgement. Quest. But if there be diuers opinions about scripture it selfe, and euery one giue a seuerall sence vnto it, who must then be Iudge? Answ. In this diuersitie of opinions, yea, of the scriptures themselues, we must still haue recourse to Christ, and that in the scriptures alone: for though there were a thousand diuerse expositions of one place, yet by the scope and circumstances thereof, conferring it with other like places of scripture, a man shall bee able to find out the true sence; for Christ in the scripture expoundeth himselfe.

The particular certificate of Christ belongeth also to his prophetical office: and that is, to assure men in their consciences, that the promises of the Gospel, with all the benefits therein contained, as Justification, Sanctification, and life eternal, which in the word be generally expounded, do belong unto them particularly; as to Peter, to John, &c. And this assurance (as the former) is principally wrought by the word, not barely read, but preached: for therein by the inward work of the spirit, the general promises be particularly applied. This Paul imports, saying, Ye have the spirit of adoption, which testifies with our spirit, we be the sons of God,