The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

As for the Books commonly called Apocrypha, we acknowledge therein many profitable things contained, and good for moral instruction; especially in Ecclesiasticus, and in the Book of Wisdom, and some things also necessary for the understanding of the Story of the Church: yet because they carry not the print of Gods Spirit, which the spiritual man discerneth, they are not equalled or matched with the Scriptures. And because in many of them, flat untruths and contrarieties may be found, and in one and the same Story, contradictions with the true Story penned by the Holy Ghost, and in most of them divers things either frivolous and absurd, ⟨p. 371⟩or manifestly false and forged, or Doctrines taught and commended, which the Word of God condemneth; we cannot without impiety lift them up into the Chair of Truth.

As for the Bookes commonly called Apocrypha, wee acknowledge therin many profitable things contayned, and good for morall instruction; especially in Ecclesiasticus, and in the Booke of Wisdome, and some things also necessarie for the vnderstanding of the Storie of the Church: yet because they carrie not the print of Gods Spirit, which the spirituall man discerneth, they are not equalled or matched with the Scriptures. And because in many of them, flat vntruths and contrarieties may be found, and in one and the same Storie, contradictions with the true Storie penned by the Holy Ghost, and in most of them diuers things either friuolous and absurd, ⟨p. 371⟩or manifestly false and forged, or Doctrines taught and commended, which the Word of God condemneth; we cannot without impiety lift them vp into the Chaire of Truth.

Beside, They were neither written in the Hebrew, nor received of the Jews, ^bto whom were committed all the Oracles of God, under the Old Testament.