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…

In this observe a most wicked practise of Jezebel and her followers: they esteemed highly of their own opinions, calling them profound and deep learning: but for the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles in the Old and New Testaments, in it there was no such matter. This in all ages hath been the practise of wicked persons, highly to esteem their own conceits, and basely to neglect the word of God. The teachers of the Jews do hold to this day, That the Lord gave to Moses a most plain and easy law which he delivered to his people; but the most secret and profound doctrine was unwritten, showed to Moses by revelation, and by him delivered to the Priests and Levites, which they keep still in their Cabala. And of the like judgement touching Scripture are the Popish Churches: The Word written is but an inky word, a dead letter, or a nose of wax: but the most perfect Scripture is unwritten; which is, the consent of faith and of doctrine in the hearts of all Catholics. And by such great terms the Anabaptists, Libertines, and Arians, maintain their doctrine, and abuse Scripture, calling the written Word milk for every novice: but the consent of heart among themselves, with revelations, that is, the strong meats. Yea, this opinion hath crept in among us in part: men think basely of Scripture, and prefer other mens writings before it. For let a man preach plainly the bare word of God, and deliver doctrines and exhortations out of the same, this is but plain preaching: But let another come and utter his mind partly in Latin, and partly in Greek, and other languages, alleging withal the testimonies of Fathers, Counsels, and other Writers; that is the learned preaching. And thus do most men abase Scripture, and exalt the writings of men above it. But seeing this is the practise of Jezebel and wicked men, let us on the contrary learn to reverence the written word, and give place thereto above all the testimonies and sayings of men whatsoever.

In this obserue a most wicked practise of Iezabell and her followers: they esteemed highly of their owne opinions, calling them profound and deepe learning: but for the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles in the Old and New Testaments, in it there was no such matter. This in all ages hath beene the practise of wicked persons, highly to esteeme their owne conceits, and basely to neglect the word of God. The teachers of the Iewes doe hold to this day, That the Lord gaue to Moses a most plain and easie law which he deliuered to his people; but the most secret and profound doctrine was vnwritten, shewed to Moses by reuelation, and by him deliuered to the Priests and Leuites, which they keepe still in their Cabbala. And of the like iudgement touching Scripture are the Popish Churches: The Word written is but an inkie word, a dead letter, or a nose of waxe: but the most perfect Scripture is vnwritten; which is, the consent of faith and of doctrine in the hearts of all Catholickes. And by such great tearmes the Anabaptists, Libertines, and Arrians, maintaine their doctrine, and abuse Scripture, calling the written Word milke for euery nouice: but the consent of heart among themselues, with reuelations, that is, the strong meates. Yea, this opinion hath crept in among vs in part: men thinke basely of Scripture, and preferre other mens writings before it. For let a man preach plainely the bare word of God, and deliuer doctrines and exhortations out of the same, this is but plaine preaching: But let another come and vtter his mind partly in Latine, and partly in Greeke, and other languages, alleadging withall the testimonies of Fathers, Counsels, and other Writers; that is the learned preaching. And thus doe most men abase Scripture, and exalt the writings of men aboue it. But seeing this is the practise of Iezabell and wicked men, let vs on the contrary learne to reuerence the written word, and giue place thereto aboue all the testimonies and sayings of men whatsoeuer.