- Jun 26, 2004
- 17,361
- 3,628
- Country
- Canada
- Faith
- Protestant
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- CA-Others
Good read. I'm thankful it is free online.
A Reformed Catholic (eBook) | Monergism
Objection 6
Sundry places of Scripture be doubtful: and every religion has his several exposition of them, as the Papists have theirs, and the Protestants theirs. Now then, seeing there can be but one truth, when question is of the interpretation of Scripture, recourse must be had to the tradition of the Church, that the true sense may be determined and the question ended.
Answer
It is not so: but in doubtful places Scripture itself is sufficient to declare his own meaning; first by the analogy of faith, which is the sum of religion gathered out of the clearest places of Scripture: secondly, by the circumstances of the place and the nature and signification of the words; thirdly by conference of place with place. By these and like helps contained in Scripture, we may judge which is the truest meaning of any place. Scripture itself is the text and the best gloss. And the scripture is falsely termed the matter of strife, it being not so of itself, but by the abuse of man. And this much for our dissent concerning traditions, wherein we must not be wavering but steadfast, because notwithstanding our renouncing of popery; yet popish inclinations and dispositions be rise among us. Our common people marvellously affect human traditions: yea man's nature is inclined more to be pleased with them, than with the Word of God. The feast of the nativity of our Saviour Christ, is only a custom and tradition of the Church, and yet men are commonly more careful to keep it than the Lord's Day, the keeping whereof stands by the moral law. Positive laws are not sufficient to restrain us from buying and selling on the Sabbath: yet within the twelve days no man keeps market. Again see the truth of this in our affection to the ministry of the Word: let the preacher allege Peter and Paul, the people count it but common stuff, such as any man can bring: but let men come and allege Ambrose, Augustine, and the rest of the fathers: oh, he is the man, he is alone for them. Again, let any man be in danger any way, and straight he sends to the wise man or wizard: God's word is not sufficient to comfort and direct him. All this argues that popery denied with the mouth, abides still in the heart: and therefore we must learn to reverence the written word by ascribing unto it all manner of perfection.
A Reformed Catholic (eBook) | Monergism
Objection 6
Sundry places of Scripture be doubtful: and every religion has his several exposition of them, as the Papists have theirs, and the Protestants theirs. Now then, seeing there can be but one truth, when question is of the interpretation of Scripture, recourse must be had to the tradition of the Church, that the true sense may be determined and the question ended.
Answer
It is not so: but in doubtful places Scripture itself is sufficient to declare his own meaning; first by the analogy of faith, which is the sum of religion gathered out of the clearest places of Scripture: secondly, by the circumstances of the place and the nature and signification of the words; thirdly by conference of place with place. By these and like helps contained in Scripture, we may judge which is the truest meaning of any place. Scripture itself is the text and the best gloss. And the scripture is falsely termed the matter of strife, it being not so of itself, but by the abuse of man. And this much for our dissent concerning traditions, wherein we must not be wavering but steadfast, because notwithstanding our renouncing of popery; yet popish inclinations and dispositions be rise among us. Our common people marvellously affect human traditions: yea man's nature is inclined more to be pleased with them, than with the Word of God. The feast of the nativity of our Saviour Christ, is only a custom and tradition of the Church, and yet men are commonly more careful to keep it than the Lord's Day, the keeping whereof stands by the moral law. Positive laws are not sufficient to restrain us from buying and selling on the Sabbath: yet within the twelve days no man keeps market. Again see the truth of this in our affection to the ministry of the Word: let the preacher allege Peter and Paul, the people count it but common stuff, such as any man can bring: but let men come and allege Ambrose, Augustine, and the rest of the fathers: oh, he is the man, he is alone for them. Again, let any man be in danger any way, and straight he sends to the wise man or wizard: God's word is not sufficient to comfort and direct him. All this argues that popery denied with the mouth, abides still in the heart: and therefore we must learn to reverence the written word by ascribing unto it all manner of perfection.
