CHAP. VIII. Of the Properties of the Scripture.
THe properties which the Scripture must have for the former end, are these:
It is,
- 1. Of Divine Authority.
- 2. True and Certain.
- 3. The rule of Faith and Manners.
- 4. Necess••ry.
- 5. Pure and Holy.
- 6. Sufficient and Perfect.
- 7. Perspicuous and Plain.
1. Its of Divine Authority, d 1.1 we must believe it for its own sake. It is Divine.
1. In its Efficient cause and Original, which is God the Father dictating, in his Son declaring and publishing, by his holy Spirit confirming and sealing it in the hearts of the faithful. He wrote the Decalogue immediately with his own finger, and commanded the whole Systeme, and all the parts of Scripture, to be written by his servants the Prophets and Apostles, as the publique Actuaries and Pen-men thereof; therefore the authority of the Scripture is as great as that of the Holy Ghost, e 1.2 who did dictate both the matter and words: Those speeches are frequent, The Lord said, and, The mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
2. In the subject matter, which is truth according to godliness, certain, power∣ful, of venerable antiquity, joyned with a sensible demonstration of the Spirit, and Divine presence, and with many other things attesting its Divine Au∣thority.
Whence it follows, that the Authority of the Holy Scriptures is
- 1. Infallible, f 1.3 which expresseth the minde and will of God, to whom truth is essential and necessary.
- 2. Supreme and Independent into which at last all faith is resolved, from which it is not lawful to appeal.
By which singular authority the Scripture is distinguished, both from all pro∣phane and Sacred writings, and Paul honors it with this Elogie, A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, 1 Tim. 1. 15. A more sure word, 2 Pet. 1. 19. the Com∣parative for the Superlative, in which there is no doubting and uncertainty, but all things firm.
As God is Iehovah of himself, so is his word Authoritative of it self, and is true and to be obeyed, whether thou think it Scripture or no. There is no higher au∣thority for thee to appeal to, it is above opinions of men, conscience, and there∣fore it must determine all controversies.