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CHAP. 4. (Book 4)
Wherein are proposed the allegations against the sufficiencie of the Iudge, to whom those who desire a reformatiō do appeale. (Book 4)
BVT for all this they call in doubt the sufficiencie of the Iudge, before whom the accusers commence their suite, to wit, God speaking in the Scriptures, or by the Scriptures.
1 They doubt whether hee can be Iudge considered after that manner, because, say they every Iudge ought to speake,* 1.1 now God speaking in the Scripture, is as though hee did not speake at all, the Scripture having neede it selfe to bee propounded, and applyed by some other.
2 And besides, the words of a Iudge ought to be cleare, & intelligible, & this writtē word is obscure as much as may be.
3 Thirdly, the Scripture is ambiguous and subject to di∣vers interpretations, whereas the decrees of a Iudge ought to be certaine and positiue.
4 Fourthly, the Scripture is defectiue, and imperfect, and therefore cannot be extended, nor applied to the decision of our controversies.
5 Fiftly, the resolution of a Iudge ought to make them agree, who referre themselues to him, whereas it is seene what discord there is, even amongst those who would end these variances by the Scriptures.
6 Sixtly, the Heretiques themselues make vse of the Scriptures, whereas the sentence of the Iudge, cannot ad∣vantage the party condemned by him.
7 Seaventhly, if God speaking in, or by, the Scripture were the Iudge, to what end then serue the Councels?
8 Finally, if we had no other determination then that of the Scriptures, we must needes alwaies liue in vncertainty: for the weaknesse and deceitfulnesse of mans vnderstanding considered, who amongst so great a multitude, & in such a discord of those, who take vpon thē to haue the gift of the holy Ghost, could know and discerne who hath it? Who a∣midst such a nūber of those who think they haue it, & are de∣ceiued