¶ Hovv the vvord of God doth allovve and authorise it self.
[unspec 19] T. DEclare vnto me I besech thee somewhat more plain∣ly that which thou haste alreadye spoken. D. Euen so as I iudge not the sunne to be bryght, because that other men iudge it so, and that I haue heard so saye, but for that he is so of his nature, and declareth himselfe such an one by his light: and in fine, because I can not say the contrary, no in dede although I woulde: euen in lyke sorte, I beleue not in the worde of God, ne yet holde it for certayne, and true, and for the inchaungeable will of God, by the authoritie of any man what so euer he bee, but because that God, who lightneth the eyes, and geueth vnderstanding to litle ones, * 1.1 hath illumined me by the light of the same, & hath constray∣ned me to acknowledge it such as it is, and to beleue it: and I may not otherwyse do, if I be of the children of God, and led and gouerned by his spirite. For, if I be of the children of God, God hath geuen me eyes by the meanes of his holy spirite, to see this lighte. And albeit that I can not see it if God do not geue me eyes to behold it, and that he do not o∣pen them: yet notwithstanding hauing receaued this same of God, it can in no wise be shewed, but yt I muste acknow∣ledge and receaue it. I can not heare the voyce of God my father, ne yet of Iesus Christ my shepeherd, but that I must vnderstande it and follow it, if I be of the children of God, * 1.2 and of the sheepe of Christ. For he that is of God (as Ie∣sus Christe sayeth) he heareth the worde of God, and the