The Institution of Christian Religion

¶ The .viii. Chapter. That so far as mans reason may bear, there are sufficient proves to stablish the credit of Scripture.

¶ The .viii. Chapter. That so farre as mans reason may beare, there are sufficient proues to stablyshe the credite of Scripture.

Unless we have this assurance, which is both more excellent and of more force than any judgement of man. in vain shall the authority of Scripture either be strengthened with arguments, or stablished with consent of the church, or confirmed with any other means of defence. For unless this foundation be laid, it still remaineth hanging in doubt. As on the other side when exempting it from the common state of things, we have embraced it devoutly and according to the worthiness of it: then these things become very fit helps, which before were but of small force to graft and fasten the assurance thereof in our minds. For it is marvellous, how great establishment groweth hereof, when with earnest study we consider how orderly and well framed a disposition of the divine wisdom appeareth therein, how heavenly a doctrine in every place of it, and nothing savouring of earthliness, how beautiful an agreement of all the parts among them selves, and such other things as avail to procure a majesty to writings. But more perfectly are our hearts confirmed when we consider, how we are even violently carried to an admiration of it rather with dignity of matter, than with grace of words. For this also was not done without the singular providence of God, that the high mysteries of the heavenly kingdom should for the most part be uttered under a contemptible baseness of words, least if it had ben beautified with more glorious speech the wicked should cavil that the only force of eloquence doeth reign therein. But when that rough and in a manner rude simplicity doeth raise up a greater reverence of it self than any rhetoricians eloquence, what may we judge, but that there is a more mighty strength of truth in the holy Scripture, than that it needeth any art of words? Not without cause therefore the Apostle maketh his argument, to prove that the faith of the Corinthians was grounded upon the power of God,