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29. HIther to I haue shewed, that supposing Scripture the only rule, beleefe is more secure, then deni∣all; for both parties relying vpon the same Scripture, can neuer conuince ech others interpretation of falsity, as experience sufficiently sheweth, and probability at least must be supposed on both parts; in which case finding no further euidence, prudence compel∣leth me to choose that part which is
most remote from danger of Condem∣nation: Who will not betieue, shall be damned.
30. Now, that there may remayne no doubt at all, of the secure Choice of beliefe; I will shew it consequent to reason, & holy Scripture, that we must admit of some other rule besides Scrip∣ture. If then beliefe be grounded not only vpon probable authority of Scrip∣ture (wherin it is equal at the least with authority of Deniers or Disbelieuers) but also vpon an other rule apparently knowne and seene, as it is fit for a rule to be, there can be no doubt of the se∣curity of beleefe.
31. And first, I suppose it is more then probable, or either Physically cer∣taine, that there hath euer beene a Church, teaching and practizing those points of beliefe aforementioned, not sufficiently disproued in point of Con∣tinuance & incorruption in Doctrine, though the gates of Hell haue breathed forth all malice against it.
32. Secondly, I suppose holy Scrip∣ture
as inspired by the holy Ghost to be a certaine rule of Christian beliefe; yet for that it is certaine that al is not writ∣ten that was deliuered by Christ, nei∣ther doth it any where say, that it is the infallible and sole word of God, and for that it is obscure, & doth not cleerly explicate it selfe, as it is manifest by ex∣perience; it can not be an infallible rule for the deciding of contradictory opi∣nions drawne from the same, though it alone may be a sufficient direction to let vs know what more securely may be belieued.
33. The question then is: Whether besides the Scripture, a Church also, as an vnpartiall Interpreter thereof, be to be admitted; which is as much to say: Whether the commō voice of a Church interpreting holy Scripture, be a more secure rule, then the voice of some par∣ticular men, whose priuate interpreta∣tions, as before I shewed, are not cer∣taine proofes out of holy Scripture, but only probabilityes out of their owne iudgment: which notwithstanding,
some will oblige all to admit as Scrip∣ture, and contemne the explication of an ancient Church.
34. For the negatiue part I find no cleere Scripture, but such texts as re∣quire hard interpretation, and which as much oppose the practice of the first Primitiue Church, then admitted as a doubtles rule, as it will appeare to any that shall consider them: You shall not ad a word. Deut. 4.2. Search the Scriptures. Ioan. 5.39. These things are written that you may belieue. Io. 20.31. All Scripture diuinely inspired is profitable. Are not these places of as much force against the Primitiue Church? Do they & the like say, that all truth is written? or that what is written is diuine Scripture? or that it needs no helpe of interpretatiō, no not of a Church but of priuate spi∣rits? What ground then doth there re∣maine for the inforcing of sole Scrip∣ture, as the only rule of our beliefe?
35. For the affirmatiue part, we haue first, that Article of the Apostles Creed: I belieue the holy Catholique Church:
How can we belieue the Church of Christ to be holy and Catholique, and doubt of Gods protection of it in point of true beliefe and Doctrine?
36. Secondly, the authority of the Euangelists: Math. vlt. Teach all Nations &c. Behold I am with you euery day euen to the consummation of the world. Math. 18.17. If he shall not heare the Church, let him be to thee as a heathen & publicā. Luc. 10.16. he that heareth you heareth me, and he that contemneth you contemneth me. Besides, the Church is called, the Pillar and firmament of truth. Tim. 3.15. Light of the world. Math. 5.14. Do not these texts probably point at a liuing rule?
37. Thirdly, since Christ obligeth vs to a beliefe of his doctrine vnder paine of damnation, it is manifest that by some meanes he will make it appeare vnto vs; but by Scripture alone it doth not sufficiently appeare, for by it we know not what is Scripture, nor which is the true sense of Scripture, els all would soone agree: therefore Scripture is not sufficient alone to deliuer vnto
vs our sauing fayth. But the most vn∣doubted and indifferent Interpreter thereof is an vniuersall Church; so as we may securely be ruled by it, inter∣preting the said Scripture, and cannot be reiected without danger of disbelie∣uing God's word.