The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, The Scriptures only are the foundation of faith, because they are only immutable and unmoveable. They abide always the same, they are not subject to changes, to perturbations of affections, as men are. Councils consisted of men carried by passions and interests. Even in the Council of Nice, and the four first Councils, there were great sidings, great animosities particular interests and parties: and therefore unless we had an unchangeable foundation, we must be mutable Chameleons. Now the word of God, that is said To abide for ever; whereas all flesh is grass, and the glory thereof fadeth away, 1 Pet. 1.24, 25. It's called the eternal Gospel, Revel. 14.6. So then, that which was three thousand years ago, is still true, because the Scriptures are still the same. There is no new Bible, though there may be many new opinions, and new Sects. Aristotle commendeth the Government of a Nation by Laws above the wills and arbitrary resolutions of men, because Laws are fixed and known. And so it is in the Church of God, that hath a known Law and Rule. Therefore it is an heinous error, which the learned note in Cusanus, though otherwise not a very bad man, in affirming, That the Scripture is to be interpreted, Secundum currentem statum Ecclesiae, according to the present course, and exigency of the Church; and therefore in some age those things are received, which in another are rejected.

Thirdly, The Scriptures onely are the foundation of faith, because they are onely immutable and unmoveable. They abide alwayes the same, they are not subject to changes, to perturbations of affections, as men are. Councils consisted of men carried by passions and interests. Even in the Council of Nice, and the four first Councils, there were great sidings, great animosities particular interests and parties: and therefore unlesse we had an unchangeable foundation, we must be mutable Camelions. Now the word of God, that is said To abide for ever; whereas all flesh is grasse, and the glory thereof fadeth away, 1 Pet. 1.24, 25. It's called the eternal Gospel, Revel. 14.6. So then, that which was three thousand yeares agoe, is still true, because the Scriptures are still the same. There is no new Bible, though there may be many new opinions, and new Sects. Aristotle commendeth the Government of a Nation by Lawes above the wils and arbitrary resolutions of men, because Lawes are fixed and known. And so it is in the Church of God, that hath a known Law and Rule. Therefore it is an hainous errour, which the learned note in Cusanus, though otherwise not a very bad man, in affirming, That the Scripture is to be interpreted, Secundum currentem statum Ecclesiae, according to the present course, and exigency of the Church; and therefore in some age those things are received, which in another are rejected.