4 For whatsoever things. This is the application of the example, least any should think this to be too far fetched, that he should ⟨p. 188⟩exhort us to the imitation of Christ. Yea verily (quoth he) there is nothing in the Scriptures which may not serve to your learning, and institution of your life. A notable place, wherein whiles we understand there is no vain, or unprofitable thing contained in the oracles of God, withal we are also taught to profit in the reading of the Scripture unto piety, and holiness of life. Whatsoever then is set down in Scripture, let us labour to learn it. For it were contumely against the holy spirit, if we should think he hath taught any thing, which were not material for us to know: secondly whatsoever is taught there, let us know, it doth tend to the increase of godliness.1 And although he speak of the old Testament, yet is the same to be understood also of the writings of the Apostles. For if the spirit of God he every where like it self, there is no doubt but now by the Apostles, as in old time by the Prophets, he hath tempered his doctrine to the edification of his. Furthermore, by this place fanatical spirits are notably overthrown, who brag that the old Testament is done away, and belongeth not at all to Christians. For with what face can they turn Christians from those things, which Paul testifieth to be ordained of God, unto their salvation? And whereas he addeth, that through patience and comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope, it comprehendeth not, all the parts of that profit, which is to be gathered by the word of God: but briefly noteth the chief end. For hereunto specially serve the Scriptures, that they might erect the minds of men: (Being prepared unto patience, and strengthened by consolations) unto the hope of eternal life, and keep them in the meditation thereof. The word exhortation, for the which others translate consolation, is not disliked of me: but that consolation agreeth better with patience, because this ariseth, out of that. For then are we prepared to bear adversities patiently, when the Lord doth temper them with consolation. For the patience of the godly, is not that hardness which the Philosophers command:
4 For whatsoeuer things. This is the application of the exāple, least any should think this to be too far fetched, yt he shold ⟨p. 188⟩exhort vs to the imitation of Christ. Yea verily (quoth he) there is nothing in the Scriptures whiche may not serue to your learning, and institution of your life. A notable place, wherin whiles wee vnderstande there is no vayne, or vnprofitable thing conteined in the oracles of God, withall we are also taught to profite in the reading of the Scripture vnto pietie, and holinesse of life. Whatsoeuer then is set downe in Scripture, let vs labour to learne it. For it were contumely against the holie spirite, if we shoulde thinke hee hath taught any thing, whiche were not materiall for vs to knowe: secondly whatsoeuer is taught there, let vs know, it doth tende to the increase of godlinesse.1 And although hee speake of the old Testament, yet is the same to bee vnderstoode also of the writinges of the Apostles. For if the spirite of God hee euery where like it selfe, there is no doubte but now by the Apostles, as in olde time by the Prophetes, hee hath tempered his doctrine to the edification of his. Furthermore, by this place phanaticall spirites are notably ouerthrowen, who bragge that the olde Testament is done away, and belongeth not at all to Christians. For with what face canne they turne Christians from those thinges, which Paul testifieth to be ordeined of God, vnto their saluation? And whereas hee addeth, that through patience and comforte of the scriptures, wee might haue hope, it comprehendeth not, all the partes of that profite, whiche is to be gathered by the worde of God: but briefly noteth the chiefe ende. For heereunto specially serue the Scriptures, that they might erect the mindes of men: (Being prepared vnto patience, and strengthened by consolations) vnto the hope of eternall life, and keepe them in the meditation thereof. The worde exhortation, for the which others translate consolation, is not disliked of me: but that consolation agreeth better with patience, because this ariseth, out of that. For then are we prepared to beare aduersities patiently, when the Lorde doth temper them with consolation. For the patience of the godly, is not that hardnesse which the Philosophers cōmaund:
- 1The use of the old Testament is not done away from Christians.The vse of the old Testament is not done away from Christians.
