A90280:11
Of the divine original, authority, self-evidencing light, and power of the Scriptures. With an…Of the divine originall, authority, self-evidencing light, and povver of the Scriptures. With an…
Of the divine original, authority, self-evidencing light, and power of the Scriptures. With an answer to that enquiry, how we know the Scriptures to be the Word of God. Also a vindication of the purity and integrity of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old and New Testament; in some considerations on the prolegomena, & appendix to the late Biblia polyglotta. Whereunto are subjoined some exercitations about the nature and perfection of the Scripture, the right of interpretation, internal Light, revelation, &c. / By John Owen: D.D.Of the divine originall, authority, self-evidencing light, and povver of the Scriptures. With an answer to that enquiry, how we know the Scriptures to be the Word of God. Also a vindication of the purity and integrity of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Old and New Testament; in some considerations on the prolegomena, & appendix to the late Biblia polyglotta. Whereunto are subjoyned some exercitations about the nature and perfection of the Scripture, the right of interpretation, internall Light, revelation, &c. / By Iohn Owen: D.D.
Oxford: printed by Henry Hall for Tho, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Those who in this business are first to be called to an account, whose filth and abominations given out in gross, others have but parcelled among themselves, are they of the Synagogue of Rome. These pretend themselves to be the only keepers and preservers of the Word of God in the world; the only ground and pillar of truth. Let us then a little consider in the first place, how it hath discharged this trust; for it is but equal that men should be called to an account upon their own principles; and those, who supposing themselves to have a trust reposed in them, do manifest a treacherous mind, would not be one whit better if they had so indeed.
Those who in this business are first to be called to an account, whose filth and abominations given out in gross•, others have but parcelled among themselves, are they of the Synagogue of Rome. These pretend themselves to be the only keepers and preservers of the Word of God in the world; the only ground and pillar of truth. Let us then a little consider in the first place, how it hath discharged this trust; for it is but equall that men should be called to an account upon their owne principles; and those, who supposing themselves to have a trust reposed in them, do manifest a trecherous mind, would not be one whit better if they had so indeed.
What then have these men done in the discharge of their pretended trust? nay what hath that Synagogue ⟨image 3⟩left unattempted? yea what hath it left unfinished, that may be needful to convince it of perfidiousness? that says the Scripture was committed to it alone, and would, if it were able, deprive all others of the possession of it or their lives; what Scripture then was this, or when was this deed of trust made unto them? The oracles of God, they tell us, committed to the Jews under the Old Testament, and all the writings of the New; and that this was done from the first foundation of the Church by Peter, and so on to the finishing of the whole Canon. What now have they not done in adding, detracting, corrupting, forging, aspersing those Scriptures to falsify their pretended trust? They add more books to them, never indited by the Holy Ghost, as remote from being [Greek or Hebrew]: so denying the self evidencing power of that word, which is truly [Greek or Hebrew], by mixing it with things [Greek or Hebrew], of an humane rise and spring; manifesting themselves to have lost the spirit of discerning, promised with the Word, to abide with the true Church of God for ever. Isa: 59. 21. They have taken from its fullness and perfection, its sufficiency and excellency, by their Massora their, oral law or verbum [Greek or Hebrew], their unknown, endless, bottomless, boundless treasure of traditions; that [Greek or Hebrew] for all their abominations.