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…

Secondly, that the sovereign power and authority of expounding Scripture belongeth to Christ alone, and to none other with him. True it is, that man hath a ministry committed unto him, by virtue whereof he may expound Scripture by scripture: but men have no power of themselves to determine of the proper sense of Scripture. And therefore the Popish practise in giving to the Church absolute authority to determine of the sense of Scripture, of themselves without Scripture, is flat robbery against Christ: for therein they give unto men that sovereign power which is proper to Christ.

Secondly, that the soueraigne power and authoritie of expounding Scripture belongeth to Christ alone, and to none other with him. True it is, that man hath a ministerie committed vnto him, by vertue whereof he may expound Scripture by scripture: but men haue no power of themselues to determine of the proper sence of Scripture. And therefore the Popish practise in giuing to the Church absolute authoritie to determin of the sence of Scripture, of themselues without Scripture, is flat robbery against Christ: for therein they giue vnto men that soueraigne power which is proper to Christ.

Thirdly, herein we observe the excellency of this book, and of the whole Scripture of God: for all of it is the gift of the father to the son, and of the son unto his Church. The like cannot be said of any writings of men whatsoever, be they never so excellent: herein the Scriptures surpass them all. Whereby we are taught to esteem more reverently of the Scriptures of God, than of all the writings of men in the world. Here then behold the sin of this age, which more delighteth to speak and hear the sayings of men in the public ministry, than the glorious word of the everliving God. Whereas the writings of men be full of darkness, of error, and deceit: but the word of God is most holy and pure, and every way perfect, proceeding wholly from the father of lights unto his beloved son, who hath faithfully dispersed the same, for the good of his Church.

Thirdly, herein wee obserue the excellencie of this booke, and of the whole Scripture of God: for all of it is the gift of the father to the sonne, and of the son vnto his Church. The like cannot bee said of any writings of men whatsoeuer, bee they neuer so excellent: herein the Scriptures surpasse them all. Whereby we are taught to esteeme more reuerently of the Scriptures of God, than of all the writings of men in the world. Here then behold the sinne of this age, which more delighteth to speake and heare the sayings of men in the publicke ministerie, than the glorious word of the euerliuing God. Whereas the writings of men be full of darkenesse, of errour, and deceit: but the word of God is most holy and pure, and euery way perfect, proceeding wholly from the father of lights vnto his beloued sonne, who hath faithfully dispersed the same, for the good of his Church.