And where it is said the letter killeth, he meaneth the Law, as it is the ministration of damnation, or a Covenant of works, and so indeed it doth kill, and must do so, because it is just: forasmuch as the party that is under the same, is not able to yield to it a complete and continual obedience. But yet I will call Paul and Peter to witness, that the Scriptures are of a very glorious concernment, in as much as in them is held forth to us the way of life; and also, in that they do ⟨p. 167⟩administer good ground of hope to us, Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written a foretime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture, mig•• have hope. And again, Rom. 16. 25, 26. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the Revelation of the mystery which was kept hid since the World began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the Commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith. And therefore whosoever they be that slight the Scriptures, they slight that which is no less then the word of God; and they who slight that, slight him that spake it; and they that do so, let them look to themselves, for God will be revenged on such. Much more might be said to this thing, but I would not be tedious.
And where it is said the letter killeth, he meaneth the Law, as it is the ministration of damnation, or a Covenant of works, and so indeed it doth kill, and must do so, because it is just: forasmuch as the party that is under the same, is not able to yield to it a compleat and continual obedience. But yet I will call Paul and Peter to witness, that the Scriptures are of a very glorious concernment, in as much as in them is held forth to us the way of life; and also, in that they do ⟨p. 167⟩administer good ground of hope to us, Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written a foretime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture, mig•• have hope. And again, Rom. 16. 25, 26. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the Revelation of the mistery which was kept hid since the World began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the Commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith. And therefore whosoever they be that slight the Scriptures, they slight that which is no less then the word of God; and they who slight that, slight him that spake it; and they that do so, let them look to themselves, for God will be reve•ged on such. Much more might be said to this thing, but I would not be tedious.
