Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	authority_n	church_n	interpretation_n	4,397	5	10.0901	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66823	The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled that it leads us as it were by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures, ordering of common-places, understanding of controversies, clearing of some cases of conscience / by John Wollebius ; faithfully translated into English ... by Alexander Ross.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English. 1660	Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629.	1660 (1660)	Wing W3256; ESTC R29273	215,518	472

divine matters also and such as transcend all reason 4. After a divine manner and in a wonderfull harmony of circumstances in the same things rehearsed by different Writers 5. To the Glory of God alone and our salvation 6. With admirable efficacy both in moving the hearts and corroborating them against most exquisite tortures 7. In the miraculous preservation of it against Diabolicall and Tyrannical fury That Scripture I say which thus delivereth these things is doubtless divine both in its Original and in its Authority But such is the holy Scripture Therefore it is Divine both in its Originall and in its Authority That I may then contract the matter in brief the Testimony of the Church is first in respect of time but that of the Holy Ghosts is first in regard of Nature and efficacy VVe believe the Church but not for the Church but we believe the holy Ghost for himself The Churches Testimony doth monstrate but not demonstrate it shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the thing is but the holy Ghost Testimony shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the cause The ●wasive power is in the Church but the perswasive in the spirit onely The Churches Testimony begets an opinion but the Testimony of Scripture begets Science and ● firm Faith X. The Canonical Books of Scripture are partly of the Old partly of the New Testament To the Old belong the five Books of Moses Josuah Judges Ruth these Books are single the Books of Samuel of the Kings of the Chronicles are double The Books of Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles the four greater Prophets and the twelve lesser are single Now of the New Testament are The four Evangelists The Acts of the Apostles The Epistles of Paul to the Romanes one To the Corinthians two to the Galathians EEphesians Philippians and Colossians single To the Thessalonians and Timothy double to Titus Philemon and Hebrews single The Epistles of Peter two of John three of James and Jude single and the Revelation XI But for the books of Tobiah Judith Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdra 3 4. of Machabees 1 ● 3. of Baruch 1 The Prayer of Manasses The Epistle of Ieremiah The Additions to Daniel and Esther Although they may be read with profit yet they come short of that authority which is in the Canonical Books for proving Articles of Faith and therefore they are called Apocrypha that is hid or obscure The reasons be these 1. Because they were not written by the Prophets but they have been written for the most part since Malachi the last of the Prophets 2. Because they are not written in the Stile or Phrase of the Prophets or in the Hebrew Tongue 3 Because they are never alledged in the New Testament 4. Because in reading of them we finde many passages contrary and inconsistent with Canonical Scripture besides many fabulous and repugnant to Faith and P●ety XII The Holy Scripture is sufficient to Salvation 2 Tim. 3 16 17. The whole Scripture is by Divine inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furn●shed to every good work XIII Therefore as the constitutions of the Church conducing to the right usage of outward Rites are in their one place to be regarded so no tradition is to be admitted as necessary to salvation except the Scripture The Romanists do not onely fight for popish Traditions but also equal them nay prefer them to the holy Scriptures but we are content to rest in that command of God which forbids to adde to or take away from his word Deut. 4.2 and 5.32 and 12.32 Rev. 22.18 XIV The search of holy Scripture is injoyned to all Christians Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures Colos. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell plentifully among you Neither is that obscurity of holy scripture which the Pontificians pretend any obstacle to this our assertion for though it be obscure in some places yet in other places it explains it self and delivereth the prime articles of Religion with great perspicuity XV Therefore the translation of the Bible ●nto vulgar Tongues is necessary XVI Yet no translation is authentical but that which agreeth with the Original fountains of the Hebrew and Greek XVII Although the Interpretation of Scripture is committed to the Church yet the onely supream Iudge of this interpretation is the Holy Ghost speaking in it Esay 59.29 My Spirit which is in thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thee 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that you first know this that no prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for the prophesie came not of o●d time by the will of man but holy m●n of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Therefore sacrilegiously do the Pontificians arrogate to the Church of Rome or to the P●pe alone this right of supreme judge XVIII The sense and meaning of each Scripture is but one yet in the Prophesies of the Old Testament it is composed of a history and mystery For example Hos. 11. ver 1. In these words When Israel was a child then I loved him and called my son out of Egypt I be sense is compounded for literally historically they are to be understood of the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt but ●ypically and mystically of Christs calling out of Egypt Matth. 2. ●5 XIX The means to finde out the true sense of Scripture are Frequent prayers the knowledg of tongues the looking into the Fountains the cons●deration of the scope argument● the distinc●ion of proper t●rms from figurative the logical analysis or nothing of the Causes the circumstances the passages going before and coming after the comparing of obscure places with cleerer of like with like and of disagreeing places with each other lastly the analogie of faith XX. As God is the proper and prime object so is he also the principal and suprem end of Divinity XXI Whereas then the cheif end and the cheif good are one and the same thing it is manifest that Christian Divinity only doth rightly teach us concerning the chief good XXII The subordinate end of Divinity in our salvation which consisteth in the union and fruition of God The parts of Divinity are two The first is of the knowledge of God the second of the worship of God The first containeth faith or the things to be believed the second works or the things to be performed THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Essence of GOD. GOD is a Spirit existent eternally in himself One in Essence Three in Persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost God is known in himself and in his works In himself he is known absolutely in his essence relatively in the Persons Gods essence is known by his Names and by his Properties The names of God are either taken from his essence as Iehova Iah

to the Prophets and Apostles do cry down this error Exod. 17.14 and 34.27 Deut. 31.19 Isa. 8.1 and 30.8 Ier 30.2 Hab. 2.2 Re. 1.11.19 14.13 19.9 21.9 The testimonies of the Apostles proclaiming that nothing was said or written by mans advice or counsel cry out against this error John 20.31 But these things are written that ye might believe c. Rom 15.4 But what things are written are written for our learning that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope 1 Cor. 10.11 These things are written to admon●sh us 1 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by divine inspiration And 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that ye fi●st know this that no Prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for Prophesie came not of old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost Lastly these precepts cry out against them by which we are directed to the w●itten word in matters of salvation Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testim●ny John 5 39. Search the Scriptures V. We acknowledge therefore no other principle of Divinity than the written word of God VI. It is an unquestionable Principle amongst Christians that the Holy Scripture is both of a divine original and authority VII It is then a question ill beseeming a Christian to demand whether the Scripture or holy Bible be Gods word or not For as in the Schools there is no desputing with him who denies Principles so we account him unworthy to be heard who will deny this principle of Christian Religion VIII Among Christians it is lawful to ask By what testimony do we know that the Scriptures are by divine inspiration So we ask not for this end to seduce others or to cavel but onely to be instructed IX Now this testimony is twofold the one principal the other ministerial The principal testimony is that of the Holy Spirit outwardly in the Scripture it self inwardly in the minds and hearts of the faithful being illuminate by him speaking and perswading the divinity of the Scriptures But the ministerial testimony is the testimony of the Church Outwardly in the Scriptures themselves the holy Ghost when he speaks of the divine original and authority of the VVord useth these phrases The word of the Lord Thus saith the Lord. Iesus said All Scripture is by divine inspiration 2 Tim 3.16 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost But inwardly in the hearts of the faithful he perswades the divinity of Scriptures so far forth as he openeth the eyes illuminates the mind of him that reads the Scripture with prayer and humility that he makes him see the wonders of God and causeth him to acknowledge the voice of Gods Spirit sounding in the Word The Romanists urge the Churches authority alone which they have in such high esteem that they will have the whole authority of Scriptures to have its dependence from the Church and for this only cause they will have it to be Gods Word because the Church is the witnesse of it But this is not to make the Church a witnesse of the Scriptu●es divinity but to make her self capable of divinity But we will prove by these ensuing arguments that the testimony of Gods Spirit alone is it which firmly assures us of the scriptures divinity 1. His testimony concerning the Scriptures is most firm by whose inspiration the Scripture was written For every one knows his own hand best and is best a●quainted with his own sti●e But the Scripture was written by the inspiration of the holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.20 21. Ergo c. 2. He that together with the Scripture is promised in a most neer conjunction to the faithful his testimony of the Scripture is most firm But the Holy Ghost is promised to the faithful in a most neer conjunction with the Scripture Esa. 59.21 My spirit which is in thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thy mouth 3. Without whose illumination the wonders of the Scripture are not seen his testimony alone of the Scripture is most firm But without the illumination of the Holy Ghost no man sees the wonder of the Scripture Psal. 119.18 Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of thy Law Ergo c. 4. VVhose office it is to lead us into all truth he it is that witnesseth this truth to wit that the Scripture is Gods word But it is the office of the Holy Ghost to lead us into all truth John 16 13. Ergo c. Now as for the Churches testimony although it is to be received as from Gods Minister yet it is false that the Scriptures authority depends on it For what can be more absurd than to make the words of the Master to receive their authority from the Servant or the Fathers letters to receive credit from the foot●post or the Princes mandates from the Printer or that the Rule should have its dependence from the thing ruled VVe know that the oracles of God are committed to the Church Rom. 3.2 and that she is the pillar ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 But as it is foolish to tell us that the candle receives its lights from the candle-stick that supports it so it is ridiculous to ascribe the Scriptures authority to the Church The Churches testimony may be prevalent with those who as yet know not the Scriptures and have not received that sincere milk of the word nor by it are grown up 1 Pet. 2 2. But in those who have tasted the sweetnesse of divine oracles the testimony of Scriptures and of the Holy Ghost is most firm and effectual For as he who tasteth hony himself hath a more sure knowledge of its sweetnesse than he that believeth another speaking witnessing of it even so he knoweth more assuredly the Scriptures to be Gods Word who hath tasted its sweetnesse than he who gives credite to the Church witnessing this sweetnesse The Samaritans at first believed the woman when she spake of Christ but after they heard Christ himself they say to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4.42 Even so he that having begged the assistance of Gods Spirit reads the Scriptures again again at length saith Now I believe no longer for the Churches testimony that the Scriptures are divine but because I have read them my self and in reading have stamped this Syllogism in my minde 1. That Scripture which everywhere brings in God himself speaking 2. Which is written by those men who being furnished with the gifts of prophesying and miracle from God extraordinarily do with such faithfulnes record all things that in rehearsing of sins and infirmities they neither spare themselves nor friends 3. Who record not only truths and things agreeing with right reason but