The fourth and last quality is, that in every age the1 whole Truth of God was delivered by a lively voice, as touching the substance of the Doctrine, although in greater clearness, upon the coming of Christ, then ever it was before, and lastly and perfectly (wherein we are now to rest, both for their substance & manner of revelation) it is fully and absolutely comprehended in the Scriptures: So as we shall not need to fly either to Visions, and Revelations,2 or to mens Traditions and Inventions,3 ⟨p. 376⟩to Unwritten Verities, Sentences of Fathers, Canons of Councils, &c. for to help us: but all is to be had in the written Word: for when our Saviour saith, pYe err, not knowing the Scriptures, he manifestly teacheth, that all Truth is to be learnt from thence. And the qApostle commendeth the Scriptures as being able to make us wise unto salvation: for the whole Scripture, saith he, is inspired of God, and is profitable unto Doctrine, unto Reproof, unto Correction, unto Instruction which is in Righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, perfectly fitted to every good work. Which four things (comprehending all that can be necessary) seeing the Word of God is able thoroughly to furnish a Minister withal, who is to disclose the rwhole counsel of God unto the people, it must needs be able to inform a Common Christian unto salvation. John salso giveth this testimony of the Scriptures, that they are written, to the end that believing, we might have everlasting life. And the Book of the Revelation he shutteth up with this most earnest protestation, If any man add to the words of the Prophecy of this Book, God will add unto him the seven plagues written in this Book: and if any man take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy, God will take away his part of the Tree of Life, &c. Reu. 22. 18, 19. Which if it be true in that one Book alone, how much more shall it hold in all the Books of the Scripture set together?
The fourth and last qualitie is, that in euerie age the1 whole Truth of God was deliuered by a liuely voyce, as touching the substance of the Doctrine, although in greater cleerenesse, vpon the comming of Christ, then euer it was before, and lastly and perfectly (wherein we are now to rest, both for their substance & manner of reuelation) it is fully and absolutely comprehended in the Scriptures: So as we shall not need to flye eyther to Visions, and Reuelations,2 or to mens Traditions and Inuentions,3 ⟨p. 376⟩to Vnwritten Verities, Sentences of Fathers, Canons of Councels, &c. for to helpe vs: but all is to be had in the written Word: for when our Sauiour saith, pYee erre, not knowing the Scriptures, hee manifestly teacheth, that all Truth is to bee learnt from thence. And the qApostle commendeth the Scriptures as being able to make vs wise vnto saluation: for the whole Scripture, saith he, is inspired of God, and is profitable vnto Doctrine, vnto Reproofe, vnto Correction, vnto Instruction which is in Righteousnesse, that the man of God may be perfect, perfectly fitted to euery good worke. Which foure things (comprehending all that can bee necessarie) seeing the Word of God is able thorowly to furnish a Minister withall, who is to disclose the rwhole counsell of God vnto the people, it must needs be able to informe a Common Christian vnto saluation. Iohn salso giueth this testimonie of the Scriptures, that they are written, to the end that beleeuing, wee might haue euerlasting life. And the Booke of the Reuelation hee shutteth vp with this most earnest protestation, If any man adde to the words of the Prophecie of this Booke, God will adde vnto him the seuen plagues written in this Booke: and if any man take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecie, God will take away his part of the Tree of Life, &c. Reu. 22. 18, 19. Which if it be true in that one Booke alone, how much more shall it hold in all the Bookes of the Scripture set together?
- 1the whole Truth of Christ
- 2Anabaptists & Libertines, that bring in Visions and Revelations, as if the Word of God were imperfect.Anabaptists & Libertines, that bring in Visions and Reuelations, as if the Word of God were imperfect.
- 3Papists, that supply it by mens Traditions, and Inventions, Unwritten Verities, Sentences of Fathers, Canons of Councels, &c.Papists, that supply it by mens Traditions, and Inuentions, Vnwritten Verities, Sentences of Fathers, Canons of Councels, &c.
- pJohn 5. 39.Iohn 5. 39.
- q2. Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17.
- rActs 20. 27.
- sJohn 20. 31.Iohn 20. 31.
