For it ought too suffice us, that we know that the Prophets and Apostles are sufficient witnesses, chosen and ordained too bring us the message of salvation. And by the way Saint Paul showeth, that there is very good agreement between the Law, the Prophets, and the Gospel. In deed we have seen heretofore, that the use of the ceremonies is at an end: but yet for all that, the substance of them continueth still. And when God caused the Gospel too be preached openly too the world, it was not for that he was unconstant, nor for that he intended too teach men after a new and strange fashion, wherewith the Law was nothing acquainted: for the Law and the Prophets bare witness continually too our Lord Jesus Christ. And thereby also are we put in mind, too further our selves by all the things that are contained in Moses and in the rest of the Prophets. For now adays there are some fantastical folk, which think that for all doctrine, we ought too have no more but the new Testament, and that all the rest is superfluous. It is true indeed,1 that all perfection of wisdom is throughly contained in the Gospel: but yet doth it not therefore follow, that we ought not too be edified by the Law and the Prophets: for we see that the Apostles themselves confirmed their doctrine by their testimonies. And here when S. Paul sayeth, that we must be builded upon their foundation, he showeth sufficiently, that whatsoever things our Lord betook unto them in old time, is profitable for us at this day, and we must practise it, and put it in ure. Likewise S.2 Peter sayeth, that they served not only for their own time, but also for ours. True it is, that they gave some taste of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the good things that are imparted to us by his means: but yet it is we that are come too the fullness of the time▪ as sayeth S.3 Paul in another place. And the same is also a verifying of S. Peters saying, that is too wit, that the doctrine of the Prophets ⟨image 122⟩pointeth at us, and we have more full fruition and greater fruit of it, than they that heard it spoken. For we have so great a light in Jesus Christ, that the things which were then dark, are now manifestly open and known unto us. So then, let us study the Law and the Prophets, knowing well that they lead us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
For it ought too suffyze vs, that wee knowe that the Prophetes and Apostles are sufficient witnesses, chozen and ordeyned too bring vs the message of saluation. And by the waye Saint Paule sheweth, that there is very good agreement betweene the Lawe, the Prophetes, and the Gospell. In deede wee haue seene heretofore, that the vse of the ceremonies is at an ende: but yit for all that, the substance of them continueth still. And when God caused the Gospell too bee preached openly too the woorld, it was not for that he was vnconstant, nor for that he intended too teache men after a new and straunge fashion, wherwith the Lawe was nothing acquaynted: for the Lawe and the Prophetes bare witnesse continually too our Lord Iesus Christ. And therby also are wee put in mynd, too further our selues by all the things that are conteyned in Moyses and in the rest of the Prophetes. For now adayes there are some fantasticall folk, which think that for all doctrine, wee ought too haue no more but the new Testament, and that all the rest is superfluous. It is trew indeede,1 that al perfection of wisdome is throughly conteyned in the Gospell: but yit dooth it not therfore followe, that wee ought not too bee edifyed by the Lawe and the Prophetes: for wee see that the Apostles themselues confirmed their doctrine by their testimonies. And heere when S. Paule sayeth, that wee must bee builded vppon their foundation, he sheweth sufficiently, that whatsoeuer things our Lord betooke vntoo them in old tyme, is profitable for vs at this day, and wee must practize it, and put it in vre. Lykewyse S.2 Peter sayeth, that they serued not only for their owne tyme, but also for ours. Trew it is, that they gaue some tast of our Lord Iesus Christ, and of the good things that are imparted to vs by his meanes: but yit it is wee that are come too the fulnesse of the tyme▪ as sayeth S.3 Paule in another place. And the same is also a verifying of S. Peters saying, that is too wit, that the doctrine of the Prophetes ⟨image 122⟩poynteth at vs, and wee haue more ful fruition and greater fruite of it, than they that heard it spoken. For wee haue so great a lyght in Iesus Christ, that the things which were then darke, are now manifestly open and knowen vntoo vs. So then, let vs studie the Lawe and the Prophetes, knowing wel that they leade vs to our Lord Iesus Christ.
- 1Coloss. 2. a. 3.
- 21. Pet. 1. b. 12.
- 3Gala. 4. a. 4.
