THE PRAISE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
But now what piety without truth? what truth (what saving truth) without the word of God?
What word of God (whereof we may be sure) without the Scripture? The Scriptures we are
commanded to search. John 5:39. Isa 8:20. They are commended that searched and studied
them. Acts 17:11 and 8:28,29. They are reproved that were unskillful in them, or slow to
believe them. Matt 22:29. Luke 24:25. They can make us wise unto salvation. 2 Tim 3:15. If
we be ignorant, they will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out
of order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, comfort us; if dull, quicken us; if cold,
inflame us. Tolle, lege; Tolle, lege, Take up and read, take up and read the Scriptures
[S. August. confess. lib 8 cap 12], (for unto them was the direction) it was said unto S.
Augustine by a supernatural voice. "Whatsoever is in the Scriptures, believe
me," saith the same S. Augustine, "is high and divine; there is verily truth,
and a doctrine most fit for the refreshing of men's minds, and truly so tempered, that
everyone may draw from thence that which is sufficient for him, if he come to draw with a
devout and pious mind, as true Religion requireth." [S. August. de utilitcredendi
cap. 6] Thus S. Augustine. and S. Jerome: "Ama scripturas, et amabit te sapientia
etc." [S. Jerome. ad Demetriad] Love the Scriptures, and wisdom will love thee. And
S. Cyril against Julian; "Even boys that are bred up in the Scriptures, become most
religious, etc." [S. Cyril. 7 contra Iulianum] But what mention we three or four uses
of the Scripture, whereas whatsoever is to be believed or practiced, or hoped for, is
contained in them? or three or four sentences of the Fathers, since whosoever is worthy
the name of a Father, from Christ's time downward, hath likewise written not only of the
riches, but also of the perfection of the Scripture? "I adore the fulness of the
Scripture," saith Tertullian against Hermogenes. [Tertul. advers. Hermo.] And again,
to Apelles an heretic of the like stamp, he saith; "I do not admit that which thou
bringest in (or concludest) of thine own (head or store, de tuo) without Scripture."
[Tertul. de carne Christi.] So Saint Justin Martyr before him; "We must know by all
means," saith he, "that it is not lawful (or possible) to learn (anything) of
God or of right piety, save only out of the Prophets, who teach us by divine
inspiration." So Saint Basil after Tertullian, "It is a manifest falling way
from the Faith, and a fault of presumption, either to reject any of those things that are
written, or to bring in (upon the head of them) any of those things that are not written.
We omit to cite to the same effect, S. Cyril B. of Jerusalem in his 4::Cataches., Saint
Jerome against Helvidius, Saint Augustine in his 3::book against the letters of
Petilian,
and in very many other places of his works. Also we forebear to descend to later Fathers,
because we will not weary the reader. The Scriptures then being acknowledged to be so full
and so perfect, how can we excuse ourselves of negligence, if we do not study them, of
curiosity, if we be not content with them? Men talk much of [an olive bow wrapped about
with wood, whereupon did hang figs, and bread, honey in a pot, and oil], how many sweet
and goodly things it had hanging on it; of the Philosopher's stone, that it turned copper
into gold; of Cornucopia, that it had all things necessary for food in it, of Panaces the
herb, that it was good for diseases, of Catholicon the drug, that it is instead of all
purges; of Vulcan's armor, that it was an armor of proof against all thrusts, and all
blows, etc. Well, that which they falsely or vainly attributed to these things for bodily
god, we may justly and with full measure ascribe unto the Scripture, for spiritual. It is
not only an armor, but also a whole armory of weapons, both offensive and defensive;
whereby we may save ourselves and put the enemy to flight. It is not an herb, but a tree,
or rather a whole paradise of trees of life, which bring forth fruit every month, and the
fruit thereof is for meat, and the leaves for medicine. It is not a pot of Manna, or a
cruse of oil, which were for memory only, or for a meal's meat or two, but as it were a
shower of heavenly bread sufficient for a whole host, be it never so great; and as it were
a whole cellar full of oil vessels; whereby all our necessities may be provided for, and
our debts discharged. In a word, it is a Panary of wholesome food, against fenowed
traditions; a Physician's shop (Saint Basil called it) [S. Basil in Psal. primum.] of
preservatives against poisoned heresies; a Pandect of profitable laws, against rebellious
spirits; a treasury of most costly jewels, against beggarly rudiments; finally a fountain
of most pure water springing up unto everlasting life. And what marvel? The original
thereof being from heaven, not from earth; the author being God, not man; the
inditer, the
holy spirit, not the wit of the Apostles or Prophets; the Penmen such as were sanctified
from the womb, and endued with a principal portion of God's spirit; the matter, verity,
piety, purity, uprightness; the form, God's word, God's testimony, God's oracles, the word
of truth, the word of salvation, etc.; the effects, light of understanding, stableness of
persuasion, repentance from dead works, newness of life, holiness, peace, joy in the holy
Ghost; lastly, the end and reward of the study thereof, fellowship with the Saints,
participation of the heavenly nature, fruition of an inheritance immortal, undefiled, and
that never shall fade away: Happy is the man that delighted in the Scripture, and thrice
happy that meditateth in it day and night.
TRANSLATION NECESSARY
[updated 1/15/01]