We are fully persuaded: The participle, which Luke doth use, doth signify things very well approved and void of doubt: in the which the old interpreter hath been oft deceived. And by this unskilfulness he hath left us divers excellent places corrupted. Amongst the which is that place of Paul, Rom. 14. 5: Where he commandeth, that every man be fully persuaded in his mind: Lest the conscience being tossed with doubtful opinions, should waver, and never stand sure. Thereof also cometh the noun Plerophorias, which he corruptly hath translated plenitudínem, i. a fullness, when that it is a certain and strong persuasion grounded of faith, in the which godly minds do safely take their rest. And there is, as I said, a secrete contrariety: For he challenging unto himself the credit of a faithful witness, doth take away the credit from others, that deliver contraries. This phrase (Inter nos) amongst us, signifieth as much as apud nos, with us. But he buildeth faith, as it seemeth, very slenderly, that buildeth upon the report of men, which ought to be built upon the only word of God, and the full persuasion and assurance of faith is wrought and sealed by the holy ghost. I answer, that faith is not satisfied with any testimonies of men; except the authority of God do hold the chiefest places. Yet, where the inward confirmation of the spirit doth go before, there may some place be given them in the historical ⟨p. 3⟩knowledge of things. I call that historical knowledge, which we have conceived either by our own beholding of things don, or by the speech of others. For we may not give less ear to them that are eye witnesses of the manifest works of God, then we are to give credit to experience. Add this also, that Luke followeth not private authors, but them that were also ministers of the word: By which commendation he extolleth them above the degree of mans authority. For he showeth, that they uttered the Gospel to him, to whom the Lord had committed the office of preaching the s•me. From hence also riseth that assured safety, whereof he speaketh a little after, which unless it lean upon God, may easily by disturbed. It is of great weight and force, that he calleth them ministers of the word, of whom he received his Gospel.
VVee are fully perswaded: The participle, which Luke doth vse, doth signifie thinges very well approued and voide of doubt: in the which the old interpreter hath beene ofte deceiued. And by this vnskilfulnesse hee hath left vs diuers excellent places corrupted. Amongst the which is that place of Paule, Rom. 14. 5: VVhere hee commaundeth, that euery man be fully perswaded in his minde: Lest the conscience being tossed with doubtfull opinions, should wauer, and neuer stand sure. Thereof also cō meth the nowne Plerophorias, which he corruptly hath translated plenitudínem, i. a fulnes, when that it is a certaine and strong perswasion grounded of faith, in the which godly mindes doe safely take their rest. And there is, as I sayde, a secrete contrarietie: For he challenging vnto himself the credit of a faithfull witnesse, doth take away the credit from others, that deliuer contraries. This phrase (Inter nos) amongst vs, signifieth as much as apud nos, with vs. But he buildeth faith, as it seemeth, very slenderlie, that buildeth vpon the report of men, which ought to be built vpon the onely word of God, and the ful perswasion and assuraunce of fayth is wrought and sealed by the holy ghost. I answere, that fayth is not satis•ied with any testimonies of men; except the auctoritie of God doe hold the chiefest places. Yet, where the inward confirmation of the spirit doth goe before, there may some place be giuen them in the historicall ⟨p. 3⟩knowledge of thinges. I call that historicall knowledge, which we haue cōceaued either by our own beholding of things don, or by the speach of others. For we may not giue lesse eare to them that are eye witnesses of the manifest workes of God, then wee are to giue credit to experience. Adde this also, that Luke followeth not priuate aucthours, but them that were also ministers of the word: By which commendation he extolleth them aboue the degree of mans auctoritie. For he sheweth, that they vttered the Gospell to him, to whom the Lord had committed the offyce of preaching the s•me. From hence also ryseth that assured safetie, wherof he speaketh a litle after, which vnlesse it leane vpon God, may easily by distrubed. It is of great waight and force, that he calleth them ministers of the word, of whom he receiued his Gospell.
