Wilson on Article VI: Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation

a Unto a Christian man there can be nothing either more ne- cessary or profitable, than the knowledge of holy Scripture, forasmuch as in it is contained God’s true word, setting forth his glory, and also man’s duty. And there is no truth nor doctrine necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation, but that is or may be drawn out of that fountain and well of truth. Horn. i. 1.

In holy Scripture is fully contained what we ought to do, and what to eschew, what to believe, what to love, and what to look for at God’s hands at length. Horn. i. 1.

The holy Scriptures are God’s treasure house, wherein are found all things needful for us to see, to hear, to learn, and to believe, necessary for the attaining to eternal life. Horn. xxii. 1.

As the great clerk and godly preacher St. John Chrysostom saith, whatsoever is required to the salvation of man, is fully contained in the Scripture of God. He that is ignorant may there learn and have knowledge. He that is hard-hearted, and an obstinate sinner, shall there find everlasting torments, pre- pared of God’s justice, to make him afraid, and to mollify or soften him. He that is oppressed with misery in this world shall there rind relief in the promises of everlasting life, to his great consolation and comfort. He that is wounded by the Devil unto death shall find there medicine whereby he may be restored again unto health. If it shall be requisite to teach any truth, or reprove any false doctrine, to rebuke any vice, to commend any virtue, to give good counsel, to comfort or ex- hort, or to do any other thing requisite for our salvation, all those things, says St. Chrysostom, we may learn plentifully of the Scripture. Horn. i. 1.

St. Chrysostom saith, that man’s human or worldly wisdom or science is not needful to the understanding of Scripture, but the revelation of the Holy Ghost, who inspireth the true meaning

a The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul : the testimony of the Lord is sure, making -wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Ps. xix. 7, 8. To the law and to the testimony : if they speak not ac- cording to this word, it is because

there is no light in them. Isa. viii. 20. Preach the word; — for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. — And they shall turn away their ears from the truth. 2 Tim. iv. 2, 3, 4. We have a more sure word of propheGy ; whereunto ye do well that ye takt heed j — knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any pri- E ‘2

cessary to salvation: bso that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought

unto them, that with humility and diffidence do search therefore. Horn. i. 2.

And briefly to conclude, as St. Augustin saith, by the Scrip- ture all men be amended, weak men be strengthened, and strong men be comforted. So that surely none be enemies to the read- ing of God’s word, but such as either be so ignorant, that they know not how wholesome a thing it is ; or else be so sick, that they hate the most comfortable medicine that should heal them ; or so ungodly, that they would wish the people still to continue in blindness and ignorance of God. Horn. i.l. See Article XX. (j.

b Sith by the name of testament is signified not only a will, but also a last and unchangeable will, we are hereby admonished that in religion we follow nothing, nor seek for any thing fur- ther, than we are therein taught by God ; but as there is one only true God, so there be but one godly worshipping and pure religion of one only God. Nowell, p. 2.

Q. Dost thou then affirm that all things necessary to godliness and salvation are contained in the written word of God ? A. Yea; for it were a point of intolerable ungodliness and mad- ness, to think either that God had left an imperfect doctrine, or that man were able to make that perfect which God left imper- fect. Nowell, p. 3. See also Article XX. c, d, e.

vate interpretation. For the pro- phecy came not in old time by the will of man : but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. i. 19, 20, 21. Whosoever transgresseth, and abid- eth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. 2 John 9. From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. iii. 15. These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life through his name. John xx. 21.

b Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it. Deut. iv . 2. Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you : ye shall not

turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Deut. v. 32. Every word of God is pure. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Prov. xxx. 5, 6. All Scripture is given by inspi- ration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may be per- fect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : and if any shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. xxii. 18. There are some that trouble you, and would

requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the c Holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

5f Of the Names and Number of the Canonical

Books.

(GENESIS,

Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth,

The 1 Book of Samuel, The 2 Book of Samuel, The 1 Book of Kings, The 2 Book of Kings, The 1 Book of Chronicles,

The 2 Book of Chronicles, The 1 Book ofEsdras, The 2 Book ofEsdras, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Preacher, Cantica, or Songs of So- lemon, 4 Prophets the greater, 12 Prophets the less.

And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life, and in- struction of manners ; but yet doth it not apply

c Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be writ- ten for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them ; that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and eve* hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Coll. for the second Sunday in Advent.

pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As

we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have re- ceived, let him be accursed. Gal. i.

8, 9.

them to establish any doctrine ; such are these following :

The 3 Book of Esdras, The 4 Book of Esdras, The Book of Tobias, The Book of Judith, The rest of’ the Book of

Esther, The Book of Wisdom, Jesus the Son of Sirach,

Baruch the Prophet,

The Song of the Three

Children, The Story of Susanna, Of Bell and the Dragon, The Prayer of Manasses, The 1 Book of Maccabees, The 2 Book of’ Maccabees.

All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and ac- count them Canonical.