A harmony upon the the three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentary…A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie…

39 Search the scriptures. Whereas Christ had said before, that he hath the father for a witness in heaven, we have said that it is referred unto Moses and the Prophets. Now followeth a more plain exposition: for he saith that that testimony is extant in the scriptures. And he toucheth again their vain boasting, in that they professed that they have life in the scriptures, when as they did only catch at the dead letter. Neither doth he absolutely reprehend this that they seek life in the scriptures (seeing that they are appointed unto us for that end and use): but because the Jews did think that the Scriptures did quicken them, whenas they knew not the true meaning thereof: yea seeing that they did choke the light of life, which is contained therein. For how shall the law give life without Christ, who doth only quicken the same? We are taught in this place, that we must fetch the knowledge of Christ out of the Scriptures. For they which imagine of Christ, according to their own pleasure, shall at length have nothing but a shadowish ghost in stead of him. Therefore we must first of all hold this, that Christ can be known aright by no other means save only out of the scriptures. And if it be so, it followeth, that we must read the Scriptures to this end that we may find Christ there. Whosoever shall miss this mark, howsoever he weary himself during his whole life with learning, he shall never attain unto the knowledge of the truth, for what shall our wisdom be without the wisdom of God?

39 Search the scriptures. VVhereas Christ had said before, that he hath the father for a witnesse in heauen, we haue saide that it is referred vnto Moses and the Prophetes. Now followeth a more plaine exposition: for he saith that that testimonie is extant in the scriptures. And he toucheth againe their vaine boasting, in that they professed that they haue life in the scriptures, when as they did only catch at the dead letter. Neither doth he absolutely reprehende this that they seeke life in the scriptures (seeing that they are appointed vnto vs for that ende and vse): but because the Iewes did thinke that the Scriptures did quicken them, whenas they knewe not the true meaning thereof: yea seeing that they did choake the light of life, which is contained therein. For howe shall the lawe giue life without Christe, who doth only quicken the same? VVe are taught in this place, that we must fet the knowledge of Christ out of the Scriptures. For they which imagine of Christ, according to their owne pleasure, shall at length haue nothing but a shadowish ghoste in steede of him. Therefore we must first of al hold this, that Christe can be knowen aright by no other meanes saue only out of the scriptures. And if it be so, it followeth, that wee must reade the Scriptures to this end that we may finde Christe there. VVhosoeuer shall misse this marke, howsoeuer he wearie himselfe during his whole life with learning, hee shall neuer attaine vnto the knowledge of the truth, for what shal our wisedome be without the wisedome of God?