Doctrine 9. The first thing to be believed is, that the Scriptures are not of any inhumane interpretation, but of divine revelation.
This is gathered from these words: Knowing this first, &c.
The Papists and some others gather from this place, that the interpretation of Scripture doth not belong unto private men, but unto the Church, that is, the Pope and the Councels whom he approves of: but in this sense this place makes most against them: for first it is not here said that a private man may not interpret the Scriptures, but that he may not make an interpretation of his owne; now by a mans owne interpretation is meant a humane interpretation, that is made by the will of man; as it evidently appeares by the opposition, verse 21. So that the Prophets themselves, although they were publick Doctors of the Church, yet if they should have said any thing of themselves without the revelation of God, that would have beene their owne, that is, a humane interpretation: whence also it followes that every interpretation of the Pope, which he takes not from cleare Scripture, or hath it not by some extraordinary revelation, is his owne in that sense as this word is taken in this place. Secondly, By interpretation in this place is not meant the interpretation of Scripture, that was before revealed, but the revelation it self, as it appears by the 21 verse where this interpretation is made to consist therein, that the Prophets spake their prophesies as they were moved by the holy Ghost. 3. Peter himselfe, who in the opinion of the Papists was at that time head of the Church, bids the faithfull here, search the Scriptures, he doth not bid them depend upon him, and alwayes look for interpretation. 4. He attributes more and greater strength unto the Scripture, then to his own testimony. 5. He cals the Scripture a light, and the condition of the Church a dark place: the Papists on the contrary attribute darknesse unto the Scripture, and light and clearnesse unto the Church. 6. He commends the vulgar sort of the faithfull, that they did take heed unto the Scriptures, in these words, Ye do well. But the Papists by this [♦]interpretation debarre the faithfull from the reading of the Scripture.
[♦] “interpretaion” replaced with “interpretation”
Use 1. This may serve to refute the Papists, that put the Church before the Scripture, and say that the first thing to be believed is, that the Church cannot erre.
2. To exhort us, to lay this foundation firme and sure in our hearts.
Doctrine 10. The holy Ghost moved those men that were authors of the Scriptures.
This is gathered from these words: As they were moved by the holy Ghost.
Use. This may serve to instruct us, by continuall prayer to seek for the aid of the Spirit, for the understanding of the Scriptures. The Scripture must be understood by the help of the same Spirit, by whom it was dictated, as Hieronymus Eodem spiritu debet intelligi Scriptura, quo fuit dictata.
Doctrine 11. The men which the holy Ghost made use of, to deliver the Scriptures, were holy men of God.