A90280:13
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.
And yet farther, as if all this were not enough to manifest what Trustees they have been, they have cast off all subjection to the authority of God in his word, unless it be resolved into their own; denying that any man in the world can know it to be the word of God, unless they tell him so; it is but ink and paper, skin of parchment, a dead letter, a nose of wax, a Lesbian Rule, of no authority unto us at all. O faithful Trustees! ⟨image 4⟩holy mother Church! infallible chair! can wickedness yet make any farther progress? was it ever heard of from the foundation of the world, that men should take so much pains, as these men have done, to prove themselves faithless, and treacherous in a trust committed to them? Is not this the sum and substance of volumes that have even filled the world; the Word of God was committed to us alone, and no others; under our keeping it is corrupted, depraved, vitiated; the copies delivered unto us we have rejected, and taken up one of our own choice; nor let any complain of us, it was in our power to do worse. This sacred depositum had no [Greek or Hebrew], whereby it might be known to be the Word of God; but it is upon our credit alone, that it passes in the world, or is believed; we have added to it many books upon our own judgement, and yet think it not sufficient for the guidance of men, in the worship of God, and their obedience they owe unto him: yet do they blush? are they ashamed as a thief when he is taken? nay do they not boast themselves in their iniquity? and say, they are sold to work all these abominations? The time is coming, yea it is at hand, wherein it shall repent them for ever, that they have lifted up themselves against this sacred grant of the wisdom, care, love, and goodness of God.
And yet farther, as if all this were not enough to manifest what Trustees they have been, they have cast off all subjection to the authority of God in his word, unlesse it be resolved into their own; denying that any man in the world can know it to be the word of God, unlesse they tell him so; it is but inke and paper, skin of parchment, a dead letter, a nose of wax, a Lesbian Rule, of no authority unto us at all. O faithfull Trustees! ⟨image 4⟩holy mother Church! infallible chaire! can wickednesse yet make any farther progresse? was it ever heard of from the foundation of the world, that men should take so much paines, as these men have done, to prove themselves faithlesse, and treacherous in a trust committed to them? Is not this the summe and substance of volumes that have even filled the world; the Word of God was committed to us alone, and no others; under our keeping it is corrupted, depraved, vitiated; the copies delivered unto us we have rejected, and taken up one of our owne choice; nor let any complaine of us, it was in our power to do worse. This sacred depositum had no , whereby it might be knowne to be the Word of God; but it is upon our credit alone, that it passes in the world, or is believed; we have added to it many bookes upon our owne judgement, and yet thinke it not sufficient for the guidance of men, in the worship of God, and their obedience they owe unto him: yet do they blush? are they ashamed as a thiefe when he is taken? nay do they not boast themselves in their iniquity? and say, they are sold to worke all these abominations? The time is coming, yea it is at hand, wherein it shall repent them for ever, that they have lifted up themselves against this sacred grant of the wisdome, care, love, and goodnesse of God.