23WemayarriveatthesameconclusionfromobservingthatweneverreadthattheApostleswerecommandedtowrite，butonlythattheywenteverywherepreaching，andconfirmedtheirwordswithsigns。24TheirpersonalpresenceandsignswereabsolutelynecessaryfortheconversionandestablishmentinreligionoftheGentiles；asPaulhimselfexpresslystatesinRom。i:11，"ButIlongtoseeyou，thatImayimparttoyousomespiritualgift，totheendthatyemaybeestablished。"
25ItmaybeobjectedthatwemightproveinsimilarfashionthattheApostlesdidnotpreachasprophets，fortheydidnotgotoparticularplaces，astheprophetsdid，bythecommandofGod。26WereadintheOldTestamentthatJonahwenttoNinevehtopreach，andatthesametimethathewasexpresslysentthere，andtoldthathemostpreach。
27Soalsoitisrelated，atgreatlength，ofMosesthathewenttoEgyptasthemessengerofGod，andwastoldatthesametimewhatheshouldsaytothechildrenofIsraelandtokingPharaoh，andwhatwondersheshouldworkbeforethemtogivecredittohiswords。28Isaiah，Jeremiah，andEzekielwereexpresslycommandedtopreachtotheIsraelites。Lastly，theprophetsonlypreachedwhatweareassuredbyScripturetheyhadreceivedfromGod，whereasthisishardlyeversaidoftheApostlesintheNewTestament，whentheywentabouttopreach。29Onthecontrary，wefindpassagesexpresslyimplyingthattheApostleschosetheplaceswheretheyshouldpreachontheirownresponsibility，fortherewasadifferenceamountingtoaquarrelbetweenPaulandBarnabasonthesubjectActsxv:37，38。30Oftentheywishedtogotoaplace，butwereprevented，asPaulwrites，Rom。i:13，"OftentimesIpurposedtocometoyou，butwaslethitherto；"andinICor。xvi:12，"AstouchingourbrotherApollos，Igreatlydesiredhimtocomeuntoyouwiththebrethren，buthiswillwasnotatalltocomeatthistime:buthewillcomewhenheshallhaveconvenienttime。"
31FromtheseexpressionsanddifferencesofopinionamongtheApostles，andalsofromthefactthatScripturenowheretestifiesofthem，asoftheancientprophets，thattheywentbythecommandofGod，onemightconcludethattheypreachedaswellaswroteintheircapacityofteachers，andnotasprophets:butthequestioniseasilysolvedifweobservethedifferencebetweenthemissionofanApostleandthatofanOldTestamentprophet。32
Thelatterwerenotcalledtopreachandprophesytoallnations，buttocertainspecifiedones，andthereforeanexpressandpeculiarmandatewasrequiredforeachofthem；theApostles，ontheotherhand，werecalledtopreachtoallmenabsolutely，andtoturnallmentoreligion。33
Therefore，whithersoevertheywent，theywerefulfillingChrist'scommandment；therewasnoneedtorevealtothembeforehandwhattheyshouldpreach，fortheywerethedisciplesofChristtowhomtheirMasterHimselfsaidMatt。X:19，20:"But，whentheydeliveryouup，takenothoughthoworwhatyeshallspeak，foritshallbegivenyouinthatsamehourwhatyeshallspeak。"34WethereforeconcludethattheApostleswereonlyindebtedtospecialrevelationinwhattheyorallypreachedandconfirmedbysignsseethebeginningofChap。11。；thatwhichtheytaughtinspeakingorwritingwithoutanyconfirmatorysignsandwonderstheytaughtfromtheirnaturalknowledge。SeeICor。xiv:6。35WeneednotbedeterredbythefactthatalltheEpistlesbeginbycitingtheimprimaturoftheApostleship，fortheApostles，asIwillshortlyshow，weregranted，notonlythefacultyofprophecy，butalsotheauthoritytoteach。36WemaythereforeadmitthattheywrotetheirEpistlesasApostles，andforthiscauseeveryoneofthembeganbycitingtheApostolicimprimatur，possiblywithaviewtotheattentionofthereaderbyassertingthattheywerethepersonswhohadmadesuchmarkamongthefaithfulbytheirpreaching，andhadshownbvmanymarvelousworksthattheywereteachingtruereligionandthewayofsalvation。37IobservethatwhatissaidintheEpistleswithregardtotheApostolicvocationandtheHolySpiritofGodwhichinspiredthem，hasreferencetotheirformerpreaching，exceptinthosepassageswheretheexpressionsoftheSpiritofGodandtheHolySpiritareusedtosignifyamindpure，upright，anddevotedtoGod。38Forinstance，in1Cor。vii:40，Paulsays:Butsheishappierifshesoabide，aftermyjudgment，andIthinkalsothatIhavetheSpiritofGod。"39BytheSpiritofGodtheApostleherereferstohismind，aswemayseefromthecontext:hismeaningisasfollows:"Iaccountblessedawidowwhodoesnotwishtomarryasecondhusband；suchismyopinion，forIhavesettledtoliveunmarried，andIthinkthatIamblessed。"40ThereareothersimilarpassageswhichIneednotnowquote。
41AswehaveseenthattheApostleswrotetheirEpistlessolelybythelightofnaturalreason，wemustinquirehowtheywereenabledtoteachbynaturalknowledgemattersoutsideitsscope。42However，ifwebearinmindwhatwesaidinChap。VII。ofthistreatiseourdifficultywillvanish:
foralthoughthecontentsoftheBibleentirelysurpassourunderstanding，wemaysafelydiscourseofthem，providedweassumenothingnottoldusinScripture:bythesamemethodtheApostles，fromwhattheysawandheard，andfromwhatwasrevealedtothem，wereenabledtoformandelicitmanyconclusionswhichtheywouldhavebeenabletoteachtomenhaditbeenpermissible。
43Further，althoughreligion，aspreachedbytheApostles，doesnotcomewithinthesphereofreason，insofarasitconsistsinthenarrationofthelifeofChrist，yetitsessence，whichischieflymoral，likethewholeofChrist'sdoctrine，canreadily，beapprehendedbythenaturalfacultiesofall。
44Lastly，theApostleshadnolackofsupernaturalilluminationforthepurposeofadaptingthereligiontheyhadattestedbysignstotheunderstandingofeveryonesothatitmightbereadilyreceived；norforexhortationsonthesubject:infact，theobjectoftheEpistlesistoteachandexhortmentoleadthatmanneroflifewhicheachoftheApostlesjudgedbestforconfirmingtheminreligion。45Wemayhererepeatourformerremark，thattheApostleshadreceivednotonlythefacultyofpreachingthehistory，ofChristasprophets，andconfirmingitwithsigns，butalsoauthorityforteachingandexhortingaccordingaseachthoughtbest。46
Paul2Tim。i:11，"WhereuntoIamappointedapreacher，andanapostle，andateacheroftheGentiles；"andagainITim。ii:7，"WhereuntoIamordainedapreacherandanapostleIspeakthetruthinChristandlienot，ateacheroftheGentilesinfaithandverity。"47Thesepassages，I
say，showclearlythestampbothoftheapostleshipandtheteachership:
theauthorityforadmonishingwhomsoeverandwheresoeverhepleasedisassertedbyPaulintheEpistletoPhilemon，v:8:"Wherefore，thoughImightbemuchboldinChristtoenjointheethatwhichisconvenient，yet，"&c。，wherewemayremarkthatifPaulhadreceivedfromGodasaprophetwhathewishedtoenjoinPhilemon，andhadbeenboundtospeakinhispropheticcapacity，hewouldnothavebeenabletochangethecommandofGodintoentreaties。48Wemustthereforeunderstandhimtorefertothepermissiontoadmonishwhichhehadreceivedasateacher，andnotasaprophet。49WehavenotyetmadeitquiteclearthattheApostlesmighteachchoosehisownwayofteaching，butonlythatbyvirtueoftheirApostleshiptheywereteachersaswellasprophets；however，ifwecallreasontoouraidweshallclearlyseethatanauthoritytoteachimpliesauthoritytochoosethemethod。50Itwillneverthelessbe，perhaps，moresatisfactorytodrawallourproofsfromScripture；wearethereplainlytoldthateachApostlechosehisparticularmethodRom。xv:
20:"Yea，sohaveIstrivedtopreachthegospel，notwhereChristwasnamed，lestIshouldbuilduponanotherman'sfoundation。"51IfalltheApostleshadadoptedthesamemethodofteaching，andhadallbuiltuptheChristianreligiononthesamefoundation，Paulwouldhavehadnoreasontocalltheworkofafellow-Apostle"anotherman'sfoundation，"
inasmuchasitwouldhavebeenidenticalwithhisown:hiscallingitanotherman'sprovedthateachApostlebuiltuphisreligiousinstructionondifferentfoundations，thusresemblingotherteacherswhohaveeachtheirownmethod，andpreferinstructingquiteignorantpeoplewhohaveneverlearntunderanothermaster，whetherthesubjectbescience，languages，oreventheindisputabletruthsofmathematics。52Furthermore，ifwegothroughtheEpistlesatallattentively，weshallseethattheApostles，whileagreeingaboutreligionitself，areatvarianceastothefoundationsitrestson。53Paul，inordertostrengthenmen'sreligion，andshowthemthatsalvationdependssolelyonthegraceofGod，teachesthatnoonecanboastofworks，butonlyoffaith，andthatnoonecanbejustifiedbyworksRom。iii:27，28；infact，hepreachesthecompletedoctrineofpredestination。54James，ontheotherhand，statesthatmanisjustifiedbyworks，andnotbyfaithonlyseehisEpistle，ii:24，andomittingallthedisputationsofPaul，confinesreligiontoaveryfewelements。
55Lastly，itisindisputablethatfromthesedifferentground；forreligionselectedbytheApostles，manyquarrelsandschismsdistractedtheChurch，evenintheearliesttimes，anddoubtlesstheywillcontinuesotodistractitforever，oratleasttillreligionisseparatedfromphilosophicalspeculations，andreducedtothefewsimpledoctrinestaughtbyChristtoHisdisciples；suchataskwasimpossiblefortheApostles，becausetheGospelwasthenunknowntomankind，andlestitsnoveltyshouldoffendmen'searsithadtobeadaptedtothedispositionofcontemporaries2Cor。ix:19，20，andbuiltuponthegroundworkmostfamiliarandacceptedatthetime。56ThusnoneoftheApostlesphilosophizedmorethandidPaul，whowascalledtopreachtotheGentiles；
otherApostlespreachingtotheJews，whodespisedphilosophy，similarly，adaptedthemselvestothetemperoftheirhearersseeGal。ii。11，andpreachedareligionfreefromallphilosophicalspeculations。57Howblestwouldouragebeifitcouldwitnessareligionfreedalsofromallthetrammelsofsuperstition!
CHAPTERXII-OFTHETRUEORIGINALOFTHEDIVINELAW，AND
WHEREFORESCRIPTUREISCALLEDSACRED，ANDTHEWORDOFGOD。
HOWTHAT，INS0FARASITCONTAINSTHEWORDOFGOD，ITHASCOMEDOWNTOUSUNCORRUPTED。
1ThosewholookupontheBibleasamessagesentdownbyGodfromHeaventomen，willdoubtlesscryoutthatIhavecommittedthesinagainsttheHolyGhostbecauseIhaveassertedthattheWordofGodisfaulty，mutilated，tamperedwith，andinconsistent；thatwepossessitonlyinfragments，andthattheoriginalofthecovenantwhichGodmadewiththeJewshasbeenlost。2However，Ihavenodoubtthatalittlereflectionwillcausethemtodesistfromtheiruproar:fornotonlyreasonbuttheexpressedopinionsofprophetsandapostlesopenlyproclaimthatGod'seternalWordandcovenant，nolessthantruereligion，isDivinelyinscribedinhumanhearts，thatis，inthehumanmind，andthatthisisthetrueoriginalofGod'scovenant，stampedwithHisownseal，namely，theideaofHimself，asitwere，withtheimageofHisGodhood。
3ReligionwasimpartedtotheearlyHebrewsasalawwrittendown，becausetheywereatthattimeintheconditionofchildren，butafterwardsMosesDeut。xxx:6andJeremiahxxxi:33predictedatimecomingwhentheLordshouldwriteHislawintheirhearts。4ThusonlytheJews，andamongstthemchieflytheSadducees，struggledforthelawwrittenontablets；leastofallneedthosewhobearitinscribedontheirheartsjoininthecontest。5Those，therefore，whoreflect，willfindnothinginwhatIhavewrittenrepugnanteithertotheWordofGodortotruereligionandfaith，orcalculatedtoweakeneitheroneortheother:contrariwise，theywillseethatIhavestrengthenedreligion，asIshowedattheendofChapterX。；indeed，haditnotbeenso，Ishouldcertainlyhavedecidedtoholdmypeace，nay，IwouldevenhaveassertedasawayoutofalldifficultiesthattheBiblecontainsthemostprofoundhiddenmysteries；however，asthisdoctrinehasgivenrisetogrosssuperstitionandotherperniciousresultsspokenofatthebeginningofChapterV。，I
havethoughtsuchacourseunnecessary，especiallyasreligionstandsinnoneedofsuperstitiousadornments，butis，onthecontrary，deprivedbysuchtrappingsofsomeofhersplendour。
6Still，itwillbesaid，thoughthelawofGodiswrittenintheheart，theBibleisnonethelesstheWordofGod，anditisnomorelawfultosayofScripturethanofGod'sWordthatitismutilatedandcorrupted。7I
fearthatsuchobjectorsaretooanxioustobepious，andthattheyareindangerofturningreligionintosuperstition，andworshippingpaperandinkinplaceofGod'sWord。
8Iamcertifiedofthusmuch:IhavesaidnothingunworthyofScriptureorGod'sWord，andIhavemadenoassertionswhichIcouldnotprovebymostplainargumenttobetrue。9Ican，therefore，restassuredthatIhaveadvancednothingwhichisimpiousorevensavoursofimpiety。
10fromwhatIhavesaid，assumealicencetosin，andwithoutanyreason，atIconfessthatsomeprofanemen，towhomreligionisaburden，may，thesimpledictatesoftheirlustsconcludethatScriptureiseverywherefaultyandfalsified，andthatthereforeitsauthorityisnull；butsuchmenarebeyondthereachofhelp，fornothing，astheproverbhasit，canbesaidsorightlythatitcannotbetwistedintowrong。11Thosewhowishtogivereintotheirlustsareatnolossforanexcuse，norwerethosemenofoldwhopossessedtheoriginalScriptures，thearkofthecovenant，nay，theprophetsandapostlesinpersonamongthem，anybetterthanthepeopleofto-day。12Humannature，JewaswellasGentile，hasalwaysbeenthesame，andineveryagevirtuehasbeenexceedinglyrare。
13Nevertheless，toremoveeveryscruple，IwillhereshowinwhatsensetheBibleoranyinanimatethingshouldbecalledsacredandDivine；
alsowhereinthelawofGodconsists，andhowitcannotbecontainedinacertainnumberofbooks；and，lastly，IwillshowthatScripture，insofarasitteacheswhatisnecessaryforobedienceandsalvation，cannothavebeencorrupted。14FromtheseconsiderationseveryonewillbeabletojudgethatIhaveneithersaidanythingagainsttheWordofGodnorgivenanyfootholdtoimpiety。
15AthingiscalledsacredandDivinewhenitisdesignedforpromotingpiety，andcontinuessacredsolongasitisreligiouslyused:iftheusersceasetobepious，thethingceasestobesacred:ifitbeturnedtobaseuses，thatwhichwasformerlysacredbecomesuncleanandprofane。16Forinstance，acertainspotwasnamedbythepatriarchJacobthehouseofGod，becauseheworshippedGodthererevealedtohim:bytheprophetsthesamespotwascalledthehouseofiniquityseeAmosv:5，andHoseax:5，becausetheIsraeliteswerewont，attheinstigationofJeroboam，tosacrificetheretoidols。17Anotherexampleputsthematterintheplainestlight。18
Wordsgaintheirmeaningsolelyfromtheirusage，andiftheyarearrangedaccordingtotheiracceptedsignificationsoastomovethosewhoreadthemtodevotion，theywillbecomesacred，andthebooksowrittenwillbesacredalso。19Butiftheirusageafterwardsdiesoutsothatthewordshavenomeaning，orthebookbecomesutterlyneglected，whetherfromunworthymotives，orbecauseitisnolongerneeded，thenthewordsandthebookwillloseboththeiruseandtheirsanctity:lastly，ifthesesamewordsbeotherwisearranged，oriftheircustomarymeaningbecomespervertedintoitsopposite，thenboththewordsandthebookcontainingthembecome，insteadofsacred，impureandprofane。
20Fromthisitfollowsthatnothingisinitselfabsolutelysacred，orprofane，andunclean，apartfromthemind，butonlyrelativelythereto。21
ThusmuchisclearfrommanypassagesintheBible。22Jeremiahtoselectonecaseoutofmanysayschap。vii:4，thattheJewsofhistimewerewrongincallingSolomon'sTemple，theTempleofGod，for，ashegoesontosayinthesamechapter，God'snamewouldonlybegiventotheTemplesolongasitwasfrequentedbymenwhoworshippedHim，anddefendedjustice，butthat，ifitbecametheresortofmurderers，thieves，idolaters，andotherwickedpersons，itwouldbeturnedintoadenofmalefactors。
23Scripture，curiouslyenough，nowheretellsuswhatbecameoftheArkoftheCovenant，thoughthereisnodoubtthatitwasdestroyed，orburnttogetherwiththeTemple；yettherewasnothingwhichtheHebrewsconsideredmoresacred，orheldingreaterreverence。24ThusScriptureissacred，anditswordsDivinesolongasitstirsmankindtodevotiontowardsGod:
butifitbeutterlyneglected，asitformerlywasbytheJews，itbecomesnothingbutpaperandink，andislefttobedesecratedorcorrupted:still，thoughScripturebethuscorruptedordestroyed，wemustnotsaythattheWordofGodhassufferedinlikemanner，elseweshallbeliketheJews，whosaidthattheTemplewhichwouldthenbetheTempleofGodhadperishedintheflames。25Jeremiahtellsusthisinrespecttothelaw，forhethuschidestheungodlyofhistime，"Wherefore，sayyouwearemasters，andthelawoftheLordiswithus?26Surelyithasbeengiveninvain，itisinvainthatthepenofthescribes"hasbeenmade-thatis，yousayfalselythattheScriptureisinyourpower，andthatyoupossessthelawofGod；foryehavemadeitofnoneeffect。
27Soalso，whenMosesbrokethefirsttablesofthelaw，hedidnotbyanymeanscasttheWordofGodfromhishandsinangerandshatterit-suchanactionwouldbeinconceivable，eitherofMosesorofGod'sWord-heonlybrokethetablesofstone，which，thoughtheyhadbeforebeenholyfromcontainingthecovenantwherewiththeJewshadboundthemselvesinobediencetoGod，hadentirelylosttheirsanctitywhenthecovenanthadbeenviolatedbytheworshipofthecalf，andwere，therefore，asliabletoperishasthearkofthecovenant。28Itisthusscarcelytobewonderedat，thattheoriginaldocumentsofMosesarenolongerextant，northatthebookswepossessmetwiththefatewehavedescribed，whenweconsiderthatthetrueoriginaloftheDivinecovenant，themostsacredobjectofall，hastotallyperished。
29Letthemcease，therefore，whoaccuseusofimpiety，inasmuchaswehavesaidnothingagainsttheWordofGod，neitherhavewecorruptedit，butletthemkeeptheiranger，iftheywouldwreakitjustly，fortheancientswhosemalicedesecratedtheArk，theTemple，andtheLawofGod，andallthatwasheldsacred，subjectingthemtocorruption。30Furthermore，if，accordingtothesayingoftheApostlein2Cor。iii:3，theypossessed"theEpistleofChrist，writtennotwithink，butwiththeSpiritofthelivingGod，notintablesofstone，butinthefleshytablesoftheheart，"
letthemceasetoworshiptheletter，andbesoanxiousconcerningit。
31IthinkIhavenowsufficientlyshowninwhatrespectScriptureshouldbeaccountedsacredandDivine；wemaynowseewhatshouldrightlybeunderstoodbytheexpression，theWordoftheLord；debartheHebreworiginalsignifiesword，speech，command，andthing。32ThecausesforwhichathingisinHebrewsaidtobeofGod，orisreferredtoHim，havebeenalreadydetailedinChap。I。，andwecantherefromeasilygatherwhatmeaningScriptureattachestothephrases，theword，thespeech，thecommand，orthethingofGod。33Ineednot，therefore，repeatwhatI
theresaid，norwhatwasshownunderthethirdheadinthechapteronmiracles。34ItisenoughtomentiontherepetitionforthebetterunderstandingofwhatIamabouttosay-viz。，thattheWordoftheLordwhenithasreferencetoanyonebutGodHimself，signifiesthatDivinelawtreatedofinChap。IV。；inotherwords，religion，universalandcatholictothewholehumanrace，asIsaiahdescribesitchap。i:10，teachingthatthetruewayoflifeconsists，notinceremonies，butincharity，andatrueheart，andcallingitindifferentlyGod'sLawandGod'sWord。
35Theexpressionisalsousedmetaphoricallyfortheorderofnatureanddestinywhich，indeed，actuallydependandfollowfromtheeternalmandateoftheDivinenature，andespeciallyforsuchpartsofsuchorderaswereforeseenbytheprophets，fortheprophetsdidnotperceivefutureeventsastheresultofnaturalcauses，butasthefiatsanddecreesofGod。36
Lastly，itisemployedforthecommandofanyprophet，insofarashehadperceiveditbyhispeculiarfacultyorpropheticgift，andnotbythenaturallightofreason；thisusespringschieflyfromtheusualpropheticconceptionofGodasalegislator，whichweremarkedinChap。IV。
37Thereare，then，threecausesfortheBible'sbeingcalledtheWordofGod:becauseitteachestruereligion，ofwhichGodistheeternalFounder；becauseitnarratespredictionsoffutureeventsasthoughtheyweredecreesofGod；becauseitsactualauthorsgenerallyperceivedthingsnotbytheirordinarynaturalfaculties，butbyapowerpeculiartothemselves，andintroducedthesethingsperceived，astoldthembyGod。
37AlthoughScripturecontainsmuchthatismerelyhistoricalandcanbeperceivedbynaturalreason，yetitsnameisacquiredfromitschiefsubjectmatter。
38WecanthuseasilyseehowGodcanbesaidtobetheAuthoroftheBible:itisbecauseofthetruereligionthereincontained，andnotbecauseHewishedtocommunicatetomenacertainnumberofbooks。39WecanalsolearnfromhencethereasonforthedivisionintoOldandNewTestament。
40ItwasmadebecausetheprophetswhopreachedreligionbeforeChrist，preacheditasanationallawinvirtueofthecovenantenteredintounderMoses；whiletheApostleswhocameafterChrist，preachedittoallmenasauniversalreligionsolelyinvirtueofChrist'sPassion:thecauseforthedivisionisnotthatthetwopartsaredifferentindoctrine，northattheywerewrittenasoriginalsofthecovenant，nor，lastly，thatthecatholicreligionwhichisinentireharmonywithournaturewasnewexceptinrelationtothosewhohadnotknownit:"itwasintheworld，"asJohntheEvangelistsays，"andtheworldknewitnot。"
41Thus，evenifwehadfewerbooksoftheOldandNewTestamentthanwehave，weshouldstillnotbedeprivedoftheWordofGodwhich，aswehavesaid，isidenticalwithtruereligion，evenaswedonotnowholdourselvestobedeprivedofit，thoughwelackmanycardinalwritingssuchastheBookoftheLaw，whichwasreligiouslyguardedintheTempleastheoriginaloftheCovenant，alsotheBookofWars，theBookofChronicles，andmanyothers，fromwhencetheextantOldTestamentwastakenandcompiled。42
Theaboveconclusionmaybesupportedbymanyreasons。
43I。BecausethebooksofbothTestamentswerenotwrittenbyexpresscommandatoneplaceforallages，butareafortuitouscollectionoftheworksofmen，writingeachashisperiodanddispositiondictated。44Somuchisclearlyshownbythecalloftheprophetswhowerebadetoadmonishtheungodlyoftheirtime，andalsobytheApostolicEpistles。
45II。BecauseitisonethingtounderstandthemeaningofScriptureandtheprophets，andquiteanotherthingtounderstandthemeaningofGod，ortheactualtruth。46ThisfollowsfromwhatwesaidinChap。II。47Weshowed，inChap。VI。，thatitappliedtohistoricnarratives，andtomiracles:butitbynomeansappliestoquestionsconcerningtruereligionandvirtue。
48III。BecausethebooksoftheOldTestamentwereselectedfrommany，andwerecollectedandsanctionedbyacouncilofthePharisees，asweshowedinChap。X。49ThebooksoftheNewTestamentwerealsochosenfrommanybycouncilswhichrejectedasspuriousotherbooksheldsacredbymany。
50Butthesecouncils，bothPhariseeandChristian，werenotcomposedofprophets，butonlyoflearnedmenandteachers。51Still，wemustgrantthattheywereguidedintheirchoicebyaregardfortheWordofGod；andtheymust，therefore，haveknownwhatthelawofGodwas。
52IV。BecausetheApostleswrotenotasprophets，butasteachersseelastChapter，andchosewhatevermethodtheythoughtbestadaptedforthosewhomtheyaddressed:andconsequently，therearemanythingsintheEpistlesasweshowedattheendofthelastChapterwhicharenotnecessarytosalvation。
53V。Lastly，becausetherearefourEvangelistsintheNewTestament，anditisscarcelycrediblethatGodcanhavedesignedtonarratethelifeofChristfourtimesover，andtocommunicateitthustomankind。54ForthoughtherearesomedetailsrelatedinoneGospelwhicharenotinanother，andoneoftenhelpsustounderstandanother，wecannotthenceconcludethatallthatissetdownisofvitalimportancetous，andthatGodchosethefourEvangelistsinorderthatthelifeofChristmightbebetterunderstood；foreachonepreachedhisGospelinaseparatelocality，eachwroteitdownashepreachedit，insimplelanguage，inorderthatthehistoryofChristmightbeclearlytold，notwithanyviewofexplaininghisfellow-Evangelists。
55Iftherearesomepassageswhichcanbebetter，andmoreeasilyunderstoodbycomparingthevariousversions，theyaretheresultofchance，andarenotnumerous:theircontinuanceinobscuritywouldhaveimpairedneithertheclearnessofthenarrativenortheblessednessofmankind。
56WehavenowshownthatScripturecanonlybecalledtheWordofGodinsofarasitaffectsreligion，ortheDivinelaw；wemustnowpointoutthat，inrespecttothesequestions，itisneitherfaulty，tamperedwith，norcorrupt。57Byfaulty，tamperedwith，andcorrupt，I
heremeanwrittensoincorrectly，thatthemeaningcannotbearrivedatbyastudyofthelanguage，norfromtheauthorityofScripture。58IwillnotgotosuchlengthsastosaythattheBible，insofarasitcontainstheDivinelaw，hasalwayspreservedthesamevowel-points，thesameletters，orthesamewordsIleavethistobeprovedby，theMassoretesandotherworshippersoftheletter，Ionly，maintainthatthemeaningby，whichaloneanutteranceisentitledtobecalledDivine，hascomedowntousuncorrupted，eventhoughtheoriginalwordingmayhavebeenmoreoftenchangedthanwesuppose。59Suchalterations，asIhavesaidabove，detractnothingfromtheDivinityoftheBible，fortheBiblewouldhavebeennolessDivinehaditbeenwrittenindifferentwordsoradifferentlanguage。60ThattheDivinelawhasinthissensecomedowntousuncorrupted，isanassertionwhichadmitsofnodispute。61ForfromtheBibleitselfwelearn，withoutthesmallestdifficultyorambiguity，，thatitscardinalpreceptis:ToloveGodaboveallthings，andone'sneighbourasone'sself。62Thiscannotbeaspuriouspassage，norduetoahastyandmistakenscribe，foriftheBiblehadeverputforthadifferentdoctrineitwouldhavehadtochangethewholeofitsteaching，forthisisthecorner-stoneofreligion，withoutwhichthewholefabricwouldfallheadlongtotheground。63TheBiblewouldnotbetheworkwehavebeenexamining，butsomethingquitedifferent。
64Weremain，then，unshakeninourbeliefthatthishasalwaysbeenthedoctrineofScripture，and，consequently，thatnoerrorsufficienttovitiateitcanhavecreptinwithoutbeinginstantly，observedbyall；norcananyonehavesucceededintamperingwithitandescapedthediscoveryofhismalice。
65Asthiscorner-stoneisintact，wemustperforceadmitthesameofwhateverotherpassagesareindisputablydependentonit，andarealsofundamental，as，forinstance，thataGodexists，thatHeforeseesallthings，thatHeisAlmighty，thatbyHisdecreethegoodprosperandthewickedcometonaught，and，finally，thatoursalvationdependssolelyonHisgrace。
66ThesearedoctrineswhichScriptureplainlyteachesthroughout，andwhichitisboundtoteach，elsealltherestwouldbeemptyandbaseless；
norcanwebelesspositiveaboutothermoraldoctrines，whichplainlyarebuiltuponthisuniversalfoundation-forinstance，toupholdjustice，toaidtheweak，todonomurder，tocovetnoman'sgoods，&c。67Precepts，I
repeat，suchasthese，humanmaliceandthelapseofagesarealikepowerlesstodestroy，forifanypartofthemperished，itslosswouldimmediatelybesuppliedfromthefundamentalprinciple，especiallythedoctrineofcharity，whichiseverywhereinbothTestamentsextolledaboveallothers。68Moreover，thoughitbetruethatthereisnoconceivablecrimesoheinousthatithasneverbeencommitted，stillthereisnoonewhowouldattemptinexcuseforhiscrimestodestroy，thelaw，orintroduceanimpiousdoctrineintheplaceofwhatiseternalandsalutary；men'snatureissoconstitutedthateveryonebehekingorsubjectwhohascommittedabaseaction，triestodeckouthisconductwithspuriousexcuses，tillheseemstohavedonenothingbutwhatisjustandright。
69Wemayconclude，therefore，thatthewholeDivinelaw，astaughtbyScripture，hascomedowntousuncorrupted。70Besidesthistherearecertainfactswhichwemaybesurehavebeentransmittedingoodfaith。71
Forinstance，themainfactsofHebrewhistory，whichwereperfectlywellknowntoeveryone。72TheJewishpeoplewereaccustomedinformertimestochanttheancienthistoryoftheirnationinpsalms。73Themainfacts，also，ofChrist'slifeandpassionwereimmediatelyspreadabroadthroughthewholeRomanempire。74Itisthereforescarcelycredible，unlessnearlyeverybody，consentedthereto，whichwecannotsuppose，thatsuccessivegenerationshavehandeddownthebroadoutlineoftheGospelnarrativeotherwisethanastheyreceivedit。
74Whatsoever，therefore，isspuriousorfaultycanonlyhavereferencetodetails-somecircumstancesinoneortheotherhistoryorprophecydesignedtostirthepeopletogreaterdevotion；orinsomemiracle，withaviewofconfoundingphilosophers；or，lastly，inspeculativemattersaftertheyhadbecomemixedupwithreligion，sothatsomeindividualmightpropuphisowninventionswithapretextofDivineauthority。
75Butsuchmattershavelittletodowithsalvation，whethertheybecorruptedlittleormuch，asIwillshowindetailinthenextchapter，thoughIthinkthequestionsufficientlyplainfromwhatIhavesaidalready，especiallyinChapterII。
CHAPTERXIII-ITISSHOWNTHATSCRIPTURETEACHESONLYVERYSIMPLE
DOCTRINES，SUCHASSUFFICEFORRIGHTCONDUCT。
1Inthesecondchapterofthistreatisewepointedoutthattheprophetsweregiftedwithextraordinarypowersofimagination，butnotofunderstanding；alsothatGodonlyrevealedtothemsuchthingsasareverysimple-notphilosophicmysteries，-andthatHeadaptedHiscommunicationstotheirpreviousopinions。2WefurthershowedinChap。V。
thatScriptureonlytransmitsandteachestruthswhichcanreadilybecomprehendedbyall；notdeducingandconcatenatingitsconclusionsfromdefinitionsandaxioms，butnarratingquitesimply，andconfirmingitsstatements，withaviewtoinspiringbelief，byanappealtoexperienceasexemplifiedinmiraclesandhistory，andsettingforthitstruthsinthestyleandphraseologywhichwouldmostappealtothepopularmindcf。Chap。
VI。，thirddivision。
3Lastly，wedemonstratedinChap。VIII。thatthedifficultyofunderstandingScriptureliesinthelanguageonly，andnotintheabstrusenessoftheargument。
4TotheseconsiderationswemayaddthattheProphetsdidnotpreachonlytothelearned，buttoallJews，withoutexception，whiletheApostleswerewonttoteachthegospeldoctrineinchurcheswheretherewerepublicmeetings；whenceitfollowsthatScripturaldoctrinecontainsnoloftyspeculationsnorphilosophicreasoning，butonlyverysimplematters，suchascouldbeunderstoodbytheslowestintelligence。
5IamconsequentlylostinwonderattheingenuityofthosewhomIhavealreadymentioned，whodetectintheBiblemysteriessoprofoundthattheycannotbeexplainedinhumanlanguage，andwhohaveintroducedsomanyphilosophicspeculationsintoreligionthattheChurchseemslikeanacademy，andreligionlikeascience，orratheradispute。
6Itisnottobewonderedatthatmen，whoboastofpossessingsupernaturalintelligence，shouldbeunwillingtoyieldthepalmofknowledgetophilosopherswhohaveonlytheirordinary，faculties；stillI
shouldbesurprisedifIfoundthemteachinganynewspeculativedoctrine，whichwasnotacommonplacetothoseGentilephilosopherswhom，inspiteofall，theystigmatizeasblind；for，ifoneinquireswhatthesemysterieslurkinginScripturemaybe，oneisconfrontedwithnothingbutthereflectionsofPlatoorAristotle，orthelike，whichitwouldoftenbeeasierforanignorantmantodreamthanforthemostaccomplishedscholartowrestoutoftheBible。
7However，IdonotwishtoaffirmabsolutelythatScripturecontainsnodoctrinesinthesphereofphilosophy，forinthelastchapterIpointedoutsomeofthekind，asfundamentalprinciples；butIgosofarastosaythatsuchdoctrinesareveryfewandverysimple。8TheirprecisenatureanddefinitionIwillnowsetforth。9Thetaskwillbeeasy，forweknowthatScripturedoesnotaimatimpartingscientificknowledge，and，therefore，itdemandsfrommennothingbutobedience，andcensuresobstinacy，butnotignorance。
10Furthermore，asobediencetoGodconsistssolelyinlovetoourneighbour-forwhosoeverlovethhisneighbour，asameansofobeyingGod，hath，asSt。PaulsaysRom。xiii:8，fulfilledthelaw，-itfollowsthatnoknowledgeiscommendedintheBiblesavethatwhichisnecessaryforenablingallmentoobeyGodinthemannerstated，andwithoutwhichtheywouldbecomerebellious，orwithoutthedisciplineofobedience。
11Otherspeculativequestions，whichhavenodirectbearingonthisobject，orareconcernedwiththeknowledgeofnaturalevents，donotaffectScripture，andshouldbeentirelyseparatedfromreligion。
12Now，thougheveryone，aswehavesaid，isnowquiteabletoseethistruthforhimself，Ishouldneverthelesswish，consideringthatthewholeofReligiondependsthereon，toexplaintheentirequestionmoreaccuratelyandclearly。13TothisendImustfirstprovethattheintellectualoraccurateknowledgeofGodisnotagift，bestoweduponallgoodmenlikeobedience；and，further，thattheknowledgeofGod，requiredbyHimthroughHisprophetsfromeveryonewithoutexception，asneedfultobeknown，issimplyaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity。14BoththesepointsareeasilyprovedfromScripture。15ThefirstplainlyfollowsfromExodusvi:2，whereGod，inordertoshowthesingulargracebestoweduponMoses，saystohim:"AndIappeareduntoAbraham，untoIsaac，anduntoJacobbythenameofElSadaiA。V。GodAlmighty；butbymynameJehovahwasInotknowntothem"-forthebetterunderstandingofwhichpassageImayremarkthatElSadai，inHebrew，signifiestheGodwhosuffices，inthatHegivestoeverymanthatwhichsufficesforhim；and，althoughSadaiisoftenusedbyitself，tosignifyGod，wecannotdoubtthatthewordElGod，{power，might}iseverywhereunderstood。16
Furthermore，wemustnotethatJehovahistheonlywordfoundinScripturewiththemeaningoftheabsoluteessenceofGod，withoutreferencetocreatedthings。17TheJewsmaintain，forthisreason，thatthisis，strictlyspeaking，theonlynameofGod；thattherestofthewordsusedaremerelytitles；and，intruth，theothernamesofGod，whethertheybesubstantivesoradjectives，aremerelyattributive，andbelongtoHim，insofarasHeisconceivedofinrelationtocreatedthings，ormanifestedthroughthem。18ThusEl，orEloah，signifiespowerful，asiswellknown，andonlyappliestoGodinrespecttoHissupremacy，aswhenwecallPaulanapostle；thefacultiesofhispoweraresetforthinanaccompanyingadjective，asEl，great，awful，just，merciful，&c。，orelseallareunderstoodatoncebytheuseofElinthepluralnumber，withasingularsignification，anexpressionfrequentlyadoptedinScripture。
19Now，asGodtellsMosesthatHewasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythenameofJehovah，itfollowsthattheywerenotcognizantofanyattributeofGodwhichexpressesHisabsoluteessence，butonlyofHisdeedsandpromisesthatis，ofHispower，asmanifestedinvisiblethings。20GoddoesnotthusspeaktoMosesinordertoaccusethepatriarchsofinfidelity，but，onthecontrary，asameansofextollingtheirbeliefandfaith，inasmuchas，thoughtheypossessednoextraordinaryknowledgeofGodsuchasMoseshad，theyyetacceptedHispromisesasfixedandcertain；whereasMoses，thoughhisthoughtsaboutGodweremoreexalted，neverthelessdoubtedabouttheDivinepromises，andcomplainedtoGodthat，insteadofthepromiseddeliverance，theprospectsoftheIsraeliteshaddarkened。
21AsthepatriarchsdidnotknowthedistinctivenameofGod，andasGodmentionsthefacttoMoses，inpraiseoftheirfaithandsingle-heartedness，andincontrasttotheextraordinarygracegrantedtoMoses，itfollows，aswestatedatfirst，thatmenarenotboundby，decreetohaveknowledgeoftheattributesofGod，suchknowledgebeingonlygrantedtoafewofthefaithful:itishardlyworthwhiletoquotefurtherexamplesfromScripture，foreveryonemustrecognizethatknowledgeofGodisnotequalamongallgoodmen。22Moreover，amancannotbeorderedtobewiseanymorethanhecanbeorderedtoliveandexist。23Men，women，andchildrenareallalikeabletoobeyby，commandment，butnottobewise。IfanytellusthatitisnotnecessarytounderstandtheDivineattributes，butthatwemustbelievethemsimply，withoutproof，heisplainly，trifling。24Forwhatisinvisibleandcanonly，beperceivedbythemind，cannotbeapprehendedbyany，othermeansthanproofs；iftheseareabsenttheobjectremainsungrasped；therepetitionofwhathasbeenheardonsuchsubjectsnomoreindicatesorattainstotheirmeaningthanthewordsofaparrotorapuppetspeakingwithoutsenseorsignification。
25BeforeIproceedIoughttoexplainhowitcomesthatweareoftentoldinGenesisthatthepatriarchspreachedinthenameofJehovah，thisbeinginplaincontradictiontothetextabovequoted。26AreferencetowhatwassaidinChap。VIII。willreadilyexplainthedifficulty。27ItwasthereshownthatthewriterofthePentateuchdidnotalwaysspeakofthingsandplacesbythenamestheyboreinthetimesofwhichhewaswriting，butbythenamesbestknowntohiscontemporaries。28GodisthussaidinthePentateuchtohavebeenpreachedbythepatriarchsunderthenameofJehovah，notbecausesuchwasthenamebywhichthepatriarchsknewHim，butbecausethisnamewastheonemostreverencedbytheJews。
29Thispoint，Isay，mustnecessarilybenoticed，forinExodusitisexpresslystatedthatGodwasnotknowntothepatriarchsbythisname；andinchap。iii:13，itissaidthatMosesdesiredtoknowthenameofGod。30
Now，ifthisnamehadbeenalreadyknownitwouldhavebeenknowntoMoses。
31Wemustthereforedrawtheconclusionindicated，namely，thatthefaithfulpatriarchsdidnotknowthisnameofGod，andthattheknowledgeofGodisbestowedandnotcommandedbytheDeity。
32Itisnowtimetopassontooursecondpoint，andshowthatGodthroughHisprophetsrequiredfrommennootherknowledgeofHimselfthaniscontainedinaknowledgeofHisjusticeandcharity-thatis，ofattributeswhichacertainmanneroflifewillenablementoimitate。33Jeremiahstatesthisinsomanywordsxxii:15，16:"Didnotthyfathereat，anddrink，anddojudgmentandjustice?andthenitwaswellwithhim。34Hejudgedthecauseofthepoorandneedy；thenitwaswellwithhim:wasnotthistoknowMe?saiththeLord。"35Thewordsinchap。ix:24ofthesamebookareequally，clear。36"Butlethimthatgloriethgloryinthis，thatheunderstandethandknowethMe，thatIamtheLordwhichexerciseloving-
kindness，judgment，andrighteousnessintheearth；forinthesethingsI
delight，saiththeLord。"37ThesamedoctrinemaybegatheredfromExod。
xxxiv:6，whereGodrevealedtoMosesonly，thoseofHisattributeswhichdisplaytheDivinejusticeandcharity。38Lastly，wemaycallattentiontoapassageinJohnwhichweshalldiscussatmorelengthhereafter；theApostleexplainsthenatureofGodinasmuchasnoonehasbeheldHim
throughcharityonly，andconcludesthathewhopossessescharitypossesses，andinvery，truthknowsGod。
39WehavethusseenthatMoses，Jeremiah，andJohnsumupinaveryshortcompasstheknowledgeofGodneedfulforall，andthattheystateittoconsistinexactlywhatwesaid，namely，thatGodissupremelyjust，andsupremelymerciful-inotherwords，theoneperfectpatternofthetruelife。40WemayaddthatScripturenowheregivesanexpressdefinitionofGod，anddoesnotpointoutanyotherofHisattributeswhichshouldbeapprehendedsavethese，nordoesitinsettermspraiseanyothers。
41WhereforewemaydrawthegeneralconclusionthatanintellectualknowledgeofGod，whichtakescognizanceofHisnatureinsofarasitactuallyis，andwhichcannotbyanymanneroflivingbeimitatedbymankindorfollowedasanexample，hasnobearingwhateverontruerulesofconduct，onfaith，oronrevealedreligion；consequentlythatmenmaybeincompleteerroronthesubjectwithoutincurringthechargeofsinfulness。42WeneednownolongerwonderthatGodadaptedHimselftotheexistingopinionsandimaginationsoftheprophets，orthatthefaithfulhelddifferentideasofGod，asweshowedinChap。II。；or，again，thatthesacredbooksspeakveryinaccuratelyofGod，attributingtoHimhands，feet，eyes，ears，amind，andmotionfromoneplacetoanother；orthattheyascribetoHimemotions，suchasjealousy，mercy，&c。，or，lastly，thattheydescribeHimasaJudgeinheavensittingonaroyalthronewithChristonHisrighthand。43Suchexpressionsareadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemultitude，itbeingtheobjectoftheBibletomakemennotlearnedbutobedient。
44Inspiteofthisthegeneralrunoftheologians，whentheycomeuponanyofthesephraseswhichtheycannotrationallyharmonizewiththeDivinenature，maintainthattheyshouldbeinterpretedmetaphorically，passagestheycannotunderstandtheysayshouldbeinterpretedliterally。45ButifeveryexpressionofthiskindintheBibleisnecessarilytobeinterpretedandunderstoodmetaphorically，Scripturemusthavebeenwritten，notforthepeopleandtheunlearnedmasses，butchieflyforaccomplishedexpertsandphilosophers。
46IfitwereindeedasintoholdpiouslyandsimplytheideasaboutGodwehavejustquoted，theprophetsoughttohavebeenstrictlyontheirguardagainsttheuseofsuchexpressions，seeingtheweak-mindednessofthepeople，andought，ontheotherhand，tohavesetforthfirstofall，dulyandclearly，thoseattributesofGodwhichareneedfultobeunderstood。
47Thistheyhavenowheredone；wecannot，therefore，thinkthatopinionstakeninthemselveswithoutrespecttoactionsareeitherpiousorimpious，butmustmaintainthatamanispiousorimpiousinhisbeliefsonlyinsofarasheistherebyincitedtoobedience，orderivesfromthemlicensetosinandrebel。48Ifaman，bybelievingwhatistrue，becomesrebellious，hiscreedisimpious；ifbybelievingwhatisfalsehebecomesobedient，hiscreedispious；forthetrueknowledgeofGodcomesnotbycommandment，butbyDivinegift。49GodhasrequirednothingfrommanbutaknowledgeofHisDivinejusticeandcharity，andthatnotasnecessarytoscientificaccuracy，buttoobedience。
CHAPTERXIV-DEFINITIONSOFFAITH，THEFAITH，ANDTHEFOUNDATIONS
OFFAITH，WHICHISONCEFORALLSEPARATEDFROMPHILOSOPHY。
1ForatrueknowledgeoffaithitisaboveallthingsnecessarytounderstandthattheBiblewasadaptedtotheintelligence，notonlyoftheprophets，butalsoofthediverseandfickleJewishmultitude。2Thiswillberecognizedbyallwhogiveanythoughttothesubject，fortheywillseethatapersonwhoacceptedpromiscuouslyeverythinginScriptureasbeingtheuniversalandabsoluteteachingofGod，withoutaccuratelydefiningwhatwasadaptedtothepopularintelligence，wouldfinditimpossibletoescapeconfoundingtheopinionsofthemasseswiththeDivinedoctrines，praisingthejudgmentsandcommentsofmanastheteachingofGod，andmakingawronguseofScripturalauthority。3Who，Isay，doesnotperceivethatthisisthechiefreasonwhysomanysectariesteachcontradictoryopinionsasDivinedocuments，andsupporttheircontentionswithnumerousScripturaltexts，tillithaspassedinBelgiumintoaproverb，geenkettersonderletter-nohereticwithoutatext?4Thesacredbookswerenotwrittenbyoneman，norforthepeopleofasingleperiod，butbymanyauthorsofdifferenttemperaments，attimesextendingfromfirsttolastovernearlytwothousandyears，andperhapsmuchlonger。
5Wewillnot，however，accusethesectariesofimpietybecausetheyhaveadaptedthewordsofScripturetotheirownopinions；itisthusthatthesewordswereadaptedtotheunderstandingofthemassesoriginally，andeveryoneisatlibertysototreatthemifheseesthathecanthusobeyGodinmattersrelatingtojusticeandcharitywithamorefullconsent:butwedoaccusethosewhowillnotgrantthisfreedomtotheirfellows，butwhopersecuteallwhodifferfromthem，asGod'senemies，howeverhonourableandvirtuousbetheirlives；while，ontheotherhand，theycherishthosewhoagreewiththem，howeverfoolishtheymaybe，asGod'select。6Suchconductisaswickedanddangeroustothestateasanythatcanbeconceived。
7Inorder，therefore，toestablishthelimitstowhichindividualfreedomshouldextend，andtodecidewhatpersons，inspiteofthediversityoftheiropinions，aretobelookeduponasthefaithful，wemustdefinefaithanditsessentials。8ThistaskIhopetoaccomplishinthepresentchapter，andalsotoseparatefaithfromphilosophy，whichisthechiefaimofthewholetreatise。
9InordertoproceeddulytothedemonstrationletusrecapitulatethechiefaimandobjectofScripture；thiswillindicateastandardbywhichwemaydefinefaith。
10WehavesaidinaformerchapterthattheaimandobjectofScriptureisonlytoteachobedience。11Thusmuch，Ithink，noonecanquestion。
12WhodoesnotseethatbothTestamentsarenothingelsebutschoolsforthisobject，andhaveneitherofthemanyaimbeyondinspiringmankindwithavoluntaryobedience?13FornottorepeatwhatIsaidinthelastchapterIwillremarkthatMosesdidnotseektoconvincetheJewsbyreason，butboundthembyacovenant，byoaths，andbyconferringbenefits；
further，hethreatenedthepeoplewithpunishmentiftheyshouldinfringethelaw，andpromisedrewardsiftheyshouldobeyit。
14Allthesearenotmeansforteachingknowledge，butforinspiringobedience。15ThedoctrineoftheGospelsenjoinsnothingbutsimplefaith，namely，tobelieveinGodandtohonourHim，whichisthesamethingastoobeyhim。16ThereisnooccasionformetothrowfurtherlightonaquestionsoplainbycitingScripturaltextscommendingobedience，suchasmaybefoundingreatnumbersinbothTestaments。17Moreover，theBibleteachesveryclearlyinagreatmanypassageswhateveryoneoughttodoinordertoobeyGod；thewholedutyissummedupinlovetoone'sneighbour。
18Itcannot，therefore，bedeniedthathewhobyGod'scommandloveshisneighbourashimselfistrulyobedientandblessedaccordingtothelaw，whereashewhohateshisneighbourorneglectshimisrebelliousandobstinate。
19Lastly，itisplaintoeveryonethattheBiblewasnotwrittenanddisseminatedonly，forthelearned，butformenofeveryageandrace；
whereforewemay，restassuredthatwearenotboundbyScripturalcommandtobelieveanythingbeyondwhatisabsolutelynecessary，forfulfillingitsmainprecept。
20Thisprecept，then，istheonlystandardofthewholeCatholicfaith，andbyitaloneallthedogmasneedfultobebelievedshouldbedetermined。
21Somuchbeingabundantlymanifest，asisalsothefactthatallotherdoctrinesofthefaithcanbelegitimatelydeducedtherefrombyreasonalone，IleaveittoeverymantodecideforhimselfhowitcomestopassthatsomanydivisionshavearisenintheChurch:canitbefromanyothercausethanthosesuggestedatthebeginningofChap。VIII。?22Itisthesesamecauseswhichcompelmetoexplainthemethodofdeterminingthedogmasofthefaithfromthefoundationwehavediscovered，forifI