hope to see the face of God if he pertinaciously refuse to believe do approve or avoid any one least thing taught or commanded by the Church as necessary to salvation to be believed done approved or avoided although in Scripture not mentioned and die in that state of soule 3. If both be it the part or share of each in the office is to be set out and certainly known by every creature that they may have recourse to each for that which pertaines to its office to the Scripture for its to the Church for its §. 4. The Protestants Tenet in it In the answer to this Question you and we as near as some imagine the two religions to be one to the other differ extreamly For albeit you grant that Christ left a Church to continue for ever in some office of teaching religion and that office of hers proper and in some respects sufficient and necessary yet you will not allow it to be either simply necessary or sufficient or any other then a meer ministery to the Scripture or so much as that with divine authority Consequently your Tenet is Christ left or appointed the Scripture for the meanes to teach us his Gospell This is the prime and maine principle of your religion in proper or as it is distinguished against ours by the name of Protestant or Reformed upon the truth therefore and certainty whereof depends in fine the whole truth and certainty of your religion and consequently of your hope of salvation in or by it as the firmnesse of any whole building does upon the firmnesse of its foundation § 5. What Catholicks acknowledge to H. Scripture We are as forward as any of you can be to give unto H. Scripture what is its Namely 1. That some of the Apostles wrote the New Testament which and the Old make up that holy book called the Scripture or Bible 2. That it is all and every word of it given by inspiration of God and therefore the very word of God of truth most infalible of authority most supreme as to all creatures even the Church her selfe yea in quality and degree of the authority superiour to that of the Church and the only divine written rule now being or ever to be 3. That they left it unto or with the Church as a sacred depositum in the nature following Viz. 1. A rule which she is bound to have an eye unto in all her doctrines and lawes and not only that they be not repugnant to it in more or lesse either by adding to or taking from either the words sense or law of it any one least tittle for supposing that possible and her a Church all of Apostles or heavenly Angels she were instantly to be detested by all as a Synagogue of Satan and all such her doctrines and lawes to be abhorred as will-worship and traditions of men but that they be consonant to it as neer as she may judge of the sense or intent of the H. Ghost as we find the Apostles had such an eye to it in theirs Acts 1.20 15.15 And in acknowledgement hereof in all her Generall Councels she placeth it in the most sumptuous throne at the uppermost end of the assembly above Pope and all as that which is to have the chiefest regard and swaying vote in all her debates and resolutions 2. A meanes excellent proper yea the incomparably principall in the sort and order of inanimate instruments as it is unto the ends for which it was ordained Namely 1. To corroborate by its concurring testimony the authority and doctrine of the Church and our faith to it 2. To preserve in way of a record a world of most admirable truths rules examples admonitions exhortations motives histories genealogies prophecies formes of prayer c. perteining to faith and holines In respect whereof it is a meanes profitable superlatively beyond all that can be said of it by tongues of men or Angels to furnish the man of God or Divine perfectly for doctrine yea of faith for reproof of the adversaries for correction for instruction in righteousnesse and for every other good work proper or perteining to his function 2. Tim. 3.16 And therefore not only doe our Divines give diligent attendance to the reading and study of it and make use of it incomparably for above any other meanes to all these ends yea and to the instructing and guiding themselves for and in the knowledge of truth and resolving cases of conscience and our Bishops in and for the making lawes or determining causes Ecclesiasticall but the Church her self in all General Councells makes her first and chief repaire to it for light and direction nay all her debate and search into former Councells Fathers Schoolmen tradition practice and sense of the Church is to no other end generally speaking then the better to find out and determine its true sense or intent 3. A meanes not only as in the hand of the man of God but as in the hand of every Christian rightly principled firme in faith 2. Pet. 3.16 and reading it in obedience to them that are over him in the Lord Heb. 13.7 with the humble spirit of the Eunuch Acts 8.31 unto the ends for which it was ordeined if ordeined as to him to wit to confirm advance and perfect himself in faith Joh. 20.31 saving wisedome 2. Tim. 3.15 hope Rom. 15.4 charity 1. Th. 4.9 and other Christian vertues singularly proper unto those ends as having from its divine author speciall force and vertue beyond all possible enditings of humane brain to inlighten the eyes and convert the heart of the simple And therefore speaking of it per se or as in the hands of such a one blessed is he that reades and meditates in it day and night Ps 1.1 and makes it a lanthorne to his feet and a light unto his paths Ps 119.105 4. A meanes since its writing necessary unto the Church as by which God will guide her into the truths there recorded without it when it may be had not 5. A meanes perfectly sufficient unto the ends for which it was ordained which is all the perfection of an instrument 6. A record conteining all that man is to believe doe or avoid to the obteining eternall salvation and expresly all the principall In regard of which many and admirable properties and uses of it it is the same in a manner to us as the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night was to the Israelites guiding Moses in the way to Canaan and by him them In a word it deserves to be called by way of excellency the Word Law doctrine oracles or Gospell of God Christ salvation c. the guide of faith the rule of religion the light of the world c. §. 6. The Catholick tenett But then we deny it to be either a proper principall necessary or sufficient meanes to teach religion And so to give unto the Church also what is hers our tenett is that The Church was
THE ONLY VVAY TO Rest of Soule IN RELIGION HERE IN HEAVEN HEREAFTER SHEWED Plainly and succinctly by pure SCRIPTURE IN THREE TREATISES DEMONSTRATING 1. That the Church was left by Christ as the means to teach us his Gospel 2. Which is she that was left in that office 3. What it is she teacheth for Gospel By L. L. Bach of Div. Licensed by the University of Oxford to preach throughout England and late Rector of L. in the County of S. now a Catholike 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth Printed for the Author 1657. ADVERTISEMENTS Of the Author to the Reader I Suppose you to be a pious and sober-minded Protestant having a love to the truth not much further learned than the English Bible regarding it as Gods word and no authority but it s in matters of religion 2. You are not to think we use this way of proving our grounds by Scripture either as necessary or as wanting other for we are able to prove them independently of it and praecedently to it to any rational man by the same means as Moses Exod. 4.1 and the other Prophets 1 Kin◠17.24 did theirs afore any word of the Old and Christ Iohn 5.35 and his Apostles 2 Cor. 12.12 theirs afore any word of the New Testament was written to wit Miracles such as no other doth Ioh. 15.24 joyn'd with eminent Sanctity as shal be shewn in next Treatise but onely because in it you think to have eternall life Ioh. 5.39 3. Out of my great desire of brevity I have often omitted to quote the texts at large And therefore I could wish you would take the paines to read them in your Bible for there is not one of them put for shew onely as is too much used on your side but is pertinent to confirm or illustrate what it is quoted for 4. Out of the same desire I have many times omitted divers proofes on our side and sometimes some on yours If therefore you misse any doe not think it was either of craft or for any dread of it for I hope by that time you have read it over you will not say I have pleaded your cause partially but either because it escaped me or was contemned by me or I thought the answer given to some other would serve it 5. Above all things I am to beseech your charity afore you censure our opinion or drift of the book as tending to derogate from the honour office or authority of H. Scripture you will read over the 5th § in the Praeface And if any expression used afterward in the book seem to have any sense varying from what is there set down not to understand it in any such sense THE PRAEFACE To the first Treatise Stating the quaestion explicating the tearmes c. § 1. Grounds agreed upon leading to the Quaestion 1 Ground WIthout faith it is not possible to please God Heb. 11.6 and without holines no man shall see him Heb. 12.14 2. Ground 2. What faith and holinesse it is as he requires and will accept from his creature to this pleasing and seeing of him cannot enter into the heart of man yea or Angel by any light possible in nature but it is necessary he reveale it to us by his holy Spirt 1 Cor. 2.9 3. Ground This revelation he makes not immediately to every one but to some one person or company at first and so makes use of that one divinely authorised and assisted by him to that end as his instrument to teach it to others in an ordinary way by word of mouth or writing because this way is sufficient the other miraculous which therefore he useth not without some necessity See examples hereof if you please Gen. 18.19 Exod. 18.16 S. Mat. 28.20 Act. 9.6 10.6 What is meant by teaching By teaching I meane instructing in religion in such manner as the Scholar may and untill he doe without it be his own fault understand it aright and perfectly so far as is needfull to his Soules health And when it is spoken of as the act of a reasonable creature I mean by it instructing as afore by word of mouth in way of publike office And it includes divers acts as principal and most necessary The first is to give the first instruction called by a proper name Catechising The other which is to give the perfecting instruction hath two acts 1. In quality of a Judge to decide all emerging controversies 2. In quality of a Guide or Councellor to direct in and resolve all cases of conscience And all the same I understand by preaching When I say by word of mouth or writing I mean either of that first or of others from or under him in the same manner divinely authorized and assisted for else no man may much lesse can be obliged to believe it by divine faith no more then they could the teaching of the first What is meant by divinely authorised Divinely authorised includes three properties 1. free from all error in its teaching 2. obliging all creatures under penalty of aeternal torments to believe and obey it 3. securing all that doe of an aeternall recompence 4. Ground In this immediate way in sundry manners and at sundry times he spake of old to the Fathers by the Prophets Adam Abraham Moses c. Heb. 1.1 Some of whom by him moved 2 Pet. 1.20 committed their revelations unto writing now called the Old Testament 5 Ground The rule delivered by these his servants Heb. 3.5 being when at best but imperfect Heb. 7.19 and for the greatest part of it but temporary Gal. 3.19 at length himself in the visible person of Iesus Christ vouchsafing to become a Teacher of it he as became him the Lord taught it perfectly and as it was to endure to worlds end Whence he is styled our one Master Mat. 23.8 the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 What is meant by Religion and the Gospel And this forme doctrine law or rule of faith and holinesse thus by God Almighty revealed is called by a proper name Religion and as by Iesus Christ revealed or promulgated is called the Christian Religion or in Scripture-phrase the Gospel Mar. 16.15 6 Ground Tbis Gospell he taught to his Apostles and so left them as the first and temporary meanes to teach it to others Consequently at their death all teaching of it by or from him immediate ceased at least regularly speaking Whence as one reason at least those dayes of his and their teaching in the flesh are called the last dayes Esa 2.2 Heb. 1.1 the fulnesse of time Gal. 4.4 and the ends of the world 1. Cor. 10.11 And so he that will know any thing touching it must goe to the Gospel by them taught and left as the fountaine of all both saveing truth and discipline of manners so our late H. Councel of Trent calls it Sess 4. to all succeeding generations 7 Ground They in their persons being to die
words you to worlds end Consequently as the present Church baptises with all the same office and authority as the Apostles did so she teaches also with all the same as they did in vertue of this Commission For whatsoever other powers or priviledges they had of infallibility in more then one the gift of miracles authority of writing Canonicall Scripture c. in any one was not in vertue of this Commission A more plain and full proof H. Scripture hath not for any point of Christian faith nor am I able to devise what other answer you can give to it then this what need any more witnesses But for more aboundant confirmation let 's hear more CHAP. IV. Proving it from the Acts. THe best interpreter of figures and prophesies is their fulfilling and the best comment upon Christ's commission is the practice and proceeding in the execution of it registred in the History of the Primitive Church In which as there is no doubt but the H. Ghost recorded the things of most importance for the knowledge and direction so nor but that he recorded those he did for the patterne and imitation of future ages Consequently what it sets forth to have been then the means for teaching the Gospell is to be supposed to have been left by them in that office Now that the Church was that means is manifest from aboundance of passages in it whereof I shall name some 1 Proofe Act. 2.3 5. The gift conferred from heaven on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost as necessary and sufficient to enable them to their office of teaching the Gospell was not penns though none of them were any great Scribes and the greater part of them for ought appeares not able to write a word but tongues A signe they were to teach religion not by their writing but their speech or utterance 2 Proofe Act 2.14 c. 1. The first and all the means taken notice of in this History used by them in their own persons for bringing Infidells to faith was preaching Peter with the eleven standing up c. v. 14. 2. Such as were moved by it to embrace the Christian Law sought it at their mouth Men and brethren what shall we doe v. 37. 3. Peter taught them their Catechisme Repent and be baptized c. v. 38. without bringing any Scripture proofe as he did afore when he taught them as Infidels v. 16 25 34. 4. The rule afterward of faith worship discipline c. unto the believing people was the doctrine and institutes of their Pastors They continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and felowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer v. 41. Loe here the Church settled and compleated in all her forme of doctrine Worship Sacraments c. afore any syllable of the Gospell was written or for ought appeares intended to be Loe here in the Mother-Church Mount Zyon Gal. 4.26 the assembly of the first-borne Heb. 12.22 the pattern according to which all Churches afterward were to be gathered setled and governed to worlds end 3 Proofe Act. 6.6 7. 8.4 c. All the meanes taken notice of in this History besides their own persons provided used settled declared and left by them for teaching the Gospell was the preaching of others whom they took into their body to that end and sent them abroad over the world Act. 11.19 13.4 and placed some one or more of them in every City and Towne where the Gospell took roote Act. 9.10 13.1 14.22 to instruct and guide the people of those Townes in all things pertaining to religion in the same manner as a sheapheard doth his flock Act. 20.28 4 Proofe Act. 8.4 14 25. 13.4 20.28 These others were Teachers divinely authorised as well as the Apostles they being sent to preach and set over the flock to feed it by the same H. Ghost the Apostles were and their teaching Gods word in the substance of it no lesse then that of the Apostles only with this difference accidentall that in the Apostles mouth it was so originally supreamly absolutely and infallibly in the others subordinately fallibly and no longer or further then they taught what they received from the Church Act. 15.24 Nor therefore can you say that the teaching of these other was called the word of God because they preached Scripture or consonantly to it being here called so Act. 8.14 many years afore a word of the new Testament was written and they could not ground Evangelicall doctrine Christ is come Iesus is he is risen c upon the Old Testament 5 Proofe Act. 8.29 9.6 10.6 16.9 18.9 When God Almighty would have any taught the Gospell he either sent them to the Church or the Church to them Nor was there any difference in the meanes whether Apostles or other Pastors Saul being sent in all the same manner to Ananias as Cornelius to S. Peter and S. Philip to the Eunuch as S. Paul to the Macedonians 6 Proof Act. 11.14 The word thus preached by the Church in which it was by accident if any Scripture were cited to believers was sufficient to save the soules of the people 7 Proofe Act. 15.2 c. 16.4 5. 1. In case the Teachers differed the peoples remedy was to have recourse not to the Scripture then being albeit it conteined rules proper to have decided the question viz. VVhether circumcision was necessary to all that were to be within the covenant of grace made with Abraham and one party of the Teachers founded their doctrine upon the expresse words of it viz. that it was a law given to him for all generations for ever Gen. 17.13 Psal 105.9 and the other party were no lesse then Apostles in extraordinary but to the Church or eminent body of the Pastors in ordinary then by accident residing at Ierusalem 2. These coming together to consider of and decide it founded the decision not upon scripture though in a very fundamentall point of faith but meerly upon their own illumination and guidance by the H. Ghost It seemed good to the H. Ghost and to us v. 28. So their decree his decree theirs as his mouth his as the principall Law-giver and consequently to resist it no lesse sin then to resist the H. Ghost Nor can you say they intitled it to him because part of the assembly were Apostles For as it were purposely to preclude you from this evasion the H. Ghost took care to note 1. That the Apostles sate and voted there in quality of Presbyters as it was a name common then to Priests and Bishops only they the chief therefore named first and singularly 2. That there was much disputing upon the point v. 7. Consequently the Apostles proceeded not to the sentence as Apostles or taught by inspiration but as Pastors or by the ordinary authority of the Church as it was to continue in their successors 3. S. Paul and Barnabas though Apostles thought it an honour to themselves to be officers
as a Teacher of any thing but onely as a witnesse to his person 4. Nor as the proper principal necessary or sufficient witness for those he had newly afore urged ver 35 c. but as a witness he was compelled to by their obstinacy to the other and esteem of it Him whom the Father hath sent ye believe not Search the Scriptures for in them ye think c. 5. Nor did he send them to it by it self alone but as his maner was Luke 24.27 32 45 alledged the texts and opened them 6 Nay nor then neither were they a testimony sufficient to weigh against those brought by his adversaries out of the same Scripture to the contrary without putting into the scale the authority of his person the interpreter as you will see anon par 4. c. 4. § 5. 9. Argu. Acts 18.28 Apollos mightily convinced the Iews shewing by the Scriptures that Iesus was Christ He a lay-man by scripture alone convinced shewed or made clear even to infidels the first one of the highest mysteries of Christian faith much more could he shew it to himself and if that point any other Answer An argument somewhat specious indeed but wanting soliditie For 1. Though a lay-man yet he had been taught by the Church how to alledge and open the Scripture to that point 3. His convincing or shewing meant no more then bringing proofs or arguments for it for we do not read he converted anie and it is certain not all that he disputed with 3. It was not possible for him to prove by the Scripture there spoken of more then one of his propositions For his argument from the old Scripture could be no other but this Christ was to suffer death and rise again c. Iesus hath suffered death is risen again c. Therefore he is Christ The former proposition he was able to convince by Scripture the later not 10. Argu. Rom. 15.4 VVhat things were written were written for our learning or instruction Answer Most certain and are singularly proper to that end in the hand of an Orthodox Teacher alledging and interpreting them in their right sense unto the people as he did then to them 11. Argu. 2 Cor. 4.3 If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that perish As much as to say Scripture is plain to all but reprobates Answer 1. He spake not nor dreamt of Scripture but of the Gospel preached by the Church 2. Grant he spake of Scripture he meant it as preached by himself Silvanus and Timothy their Pastors Consequently no wilful Protestant or other Sectary whatever to whom the Scripture as preached to him by his present lawful Pastors is hid may hope of himself that he is one of the predestinate if he dye in that state of soul 12. Argu. 2 Tim. 3.15 The Scriptures are able to make thee wise to salvation Spoken to Timothy as a Christian to encourage him to be diligent in reading them as a means proper by it self alone to instruct him in Religion sufficiently to his salvation Answer Not a syllable in it to any such purpose For 1. He spake not to him as a meer Christian but as a Catholick trained up in the Church under himself v. 14. 2. Nor perhaps did he here incourage him to reading the Scripture but onely to continue firm in the things himself had taught him out of it not so much for the evidence of their consonancy with it as for the authority of his person the interpreter knowing of whom thou hast learned them v. 14. 3. Nor therefore did he recommend it to him as an instructer in Christian faith but as a witness to it 4. Nor therefore did he say wise to salvation absolutely as if salvation were attainable by the knowledge and belief of the Scriptures there spoken of but wise to salvation by faith in Christ that is by confirming and perfecting you in Christs faith And so wise to salvation means no more then wise in saving wisdom Consequently the uttermost sense of this place is no more then this The old Scriptures are able to make a Catholick wise in saving wisdom by confirming or improving him in faith which is nothing to what you are to prove 13. Argu. 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is profitable for doctrine c. Answer Superlatively beyond all that can be said of it by tongues of men or Angels being given to that end by inspiration from an infinite VVisedome But it makes nothing to your purpose For 1. He doth not say sufficient 2. No nor self-profitable 3. No nor profitable in the hand of every Christian no nor of every Christian Divine suppose him the profoundest ever lived but of the man of God that is the Orthodox or Catholick Divine or Teacher For 1. That by the man of God he meant not a meer Christian or believer is manifest 1. Because that name is never found in Scripture used of any but in whom there was some higher excellency then ordinary 2. Because it was a proper name in that Nation of Prophets 1 Sam. 2.27 9 6 c. 3. Because Timothy to whom he then wrote this was a Pastor and called by him by this name thou O man of God 1 Tim. 6.11 4. Because all these works here named as to which it is profitable doctrine reproof correction and instruction are the proper works of a Divine or Preacher 2. That he meant a Catholick Divine is as certain For a Heretick he would never call a man of God but a limb instrument or factor of the Devil Gal. 5.20 Tit. 3.10 Apoc. 2.9 15. 4. Grant by that name he meant a lay-Christian yet not any other but a Catholick one for the Scripture would be far from calling a heretick a man of God which alone is enough to render this place of no use to you 13. Argu. 2 Pet. 1.19 To which you do well to take heed as to a light c. Answer In the hand of your Pastors alledging and expounding it to you we have a light to which you do well to take heed 14. Argu. Apoc. 1.3 Blessed is he that reads this Book Sure then profitable in the hand of any Christian reader to instruct and guide him to his souls health Answer No such thing For 1. I do not think he spake here of lay-Christians but the Pastor of the several Churches to whom that Epistle was directed Chap. 2.1 c. and immediately delivered for him to read it himself and preach it to the people My reason is 1. Because it was fit he should have his encouragement as well as the people 2. Because the people in quality of hearers are spoken of in the very next words in the plural number He that reads and they that hear Now let him that saith in both places he meant the people give a reason why he should so suddenly change the number 3. Because when none of the writers nor he himself encouraged the people to the reading of any Book
H. Ghost after his Ascension Ioh. 16.12 2. It contains not every particular of the form of Doctrine VVorship c. taught and settled in the Primitive Church by the Apostles Act. 2.42 and committed by them viva voce to the Pastors to teach and observe and commit in like manner viva voce to others Acts 20.20 27. 2 Tim. 1.13 2.2 c. If you say it does it will lye upon you to shew where 1. By making a Catalogue of all the particulars 2. Proving it to be a perfect one 3. Naming where every of them is contain'd I say it will lie upon you because presumption of reason is against it for two reasons chiefly 1. Because in those places where it was most proper to have named the particulars if it had been intended none are named except one or two of the chief but all wrapped up in generals Teach the Gospel Mar. 16.15 Teach all things I have commanded you Mat. 28.20 They continved in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayer Act. 2.42 Hold the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me c. 2 Tim. 1.13 Preach the word c. 2 Tim. 4.2 2. Because in some places they warn the people to whom they wrote to hold fast all they had taught them whether by word or writing 2 Thess 2.15 And refer the ordering of some things pertaining to the administration of discipline until their coming of which no more is said afterward 1 Cor. 11.24 Nay expressely left power with the Church to set in order the things that were wanting Tit. 1.5 Nay S. Iohn who wrote last and perhaps in the last piece he wrote had many things to write which he reserved to word of mouth 2 Ioh. 12. 3. It contains not those writings that are lost named sup c. 5. arg 9. § 4 5. 4. To put it beyond all gain-saying it contains not any express rule for resolving these questions viz. 1. What a Sacrament is 2. How many Sacraments Christ ordained in his Church 3. What water and action is necessary and sufficient to the matter what person to the Minister and what words to the form of Baptism 4. Whether baptizing Infants be pious or necessary or available to their salvation 5. What and which is the Church 6. Who is a lawful Pastor 7. What is meant by these names Presbyter Bishop Deacon 8. Whether anointing the sick with oyl Iam. 5.14 be an obsolete Law 9. Whether abstaining from things strangled and from blood Acts 15.19 be an obsolete Law 10. Whether that speech This is my body were proper or figurative 11. What proving 1 Cor. 11.28 is necessary and sufficient to worthy receiving 12. VVhat is the sin against the H. Ghost and whether it may be repented of and if so whether remissible or not to the penitent 13. VVhat is justifying faith 14. What is justification 15. In case of contest or doubt who are to be judged the higher powers 16. Whether the Law of the Sabboth and namely that part of it as concerns rest from servile work was by Christ abrogated or transferred onely to another day which soever it were whether in whole or in part onely and if the later in what part at most and least It were easie to name a thousand more of the like sort and the least of them importing mankinde to salvation But these are enough for instance Conclusion of the First Treatise ANd now dear Reader think sadly with your self what reason you have any longer to believe as now you do that the Scripture was left for your Guide and Rule 1. Is it because you have been ever taught so That is no reason unless your Teachers have been sent Rom. 10.14 which there is not one of them Independents Presbyterians or Prelatical hath any more authority to teach you then you to teach them as will be demonstrated in the next Treatise 2. Is it because you have read or heard so much in Scripture it self you cannot but see unless you shut your eyes it saith no such thing but the direct contrary in a hundred places 3 Is it because it speaks touching it self very great things you will not find any thing said of it but the same or something more excellent is said of the Church or her teaching For instance 1. Is it called the VVord Law Doctrine Oracles or Gospel c. of God Christ Salvation c. Her teaching is more to wit 1. The word of God and all other these attributes in simple sense whereas it is onely the written Word Law c. and so her doctrine includes the other as a part of it For a-among other grounds of Religion taught us in our catechising that is one There is a Book given by inspiration of God this is it c. And for that reason alone because she teacheth it we believe it at first And for that reason alone supremely or finally we believe it ever after for else she were not the ground of truth 2. The word of God in proper sense because at this present spoken by her as his mouth or Angel unto our ears Mal. 2.7 Luk. 1.70 and spoken to me and you and every creature in several or in his particular person Mar. 16.16 by an instrument indued with sense and reason and thereby able to explicate both her terms and doctrine and by applying her instruction and direction to every one according to his capacity need state c. to set and guide him in such a plain high-way as the way faring men though fools or children of five years old shall not erre therein Isa 35.8 And so hers is that word elsewhere also promised by Esay to the elect under the Gospel The people shall dwell in Zion c. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity c. yet shall not thy Teachers be removed into a corner any more as you say the Church may be sometime invisible to the eye of sense but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers and thine ears shall hear from their lips a word behind thee because at first by nature and afterward by actual sin we are all going in a wrong path toward hell with our backs toward God Almighty and his holy habitation and so he is fain to follow after us with his good inspirations saying This is the way walk in it or that you are to walk in Esa 30.19 A word therefore far more useful and beneficial to us then the other seeing there are multitudes of people yea Nations in the world who cannot read and of them that can none able to understand Scripture without some other interpreter then it self And so it is but a mute word properly speaking without her 2. Is it a light She is the light 3. Was it written for our learning She was given for our Teacher 4. Is it the Book of truth She is the ground of truth 5. Is its teaching of or with divine authority So is hers