Question 2

Are the Scriptures plain to all Christians that read them? If the Divine Scriptures were plain to all

Christians that read them, the Lord would not have commanded such as desired to obtain salvation to search the same ; and Paul would have said without reason that God had placed the gift of teaching in the Church;t and Peter would not have said of the Epistles of Paul that they contained some things hard to be understood.{ It is evident, therefore, that the Scriptures are very profound, and their sense lofty; and that they need learned and divine men to search out their true meaning, and a sense that is right, and agreeable to all Scripture, and to its author the Holy Spirit.

So that as to those that are regenerated [in Baptism], although they must know the faith concerning the Trinity, the incarnation of the Son of God, His passion, resurrection, and ascension into the heavens, what concerneth regeneration and judgment—for which many have not hesitated to die—it is not necessary, but rather impossible, that all should know what the Holy Spirit manifesteth to those alone who are exercised in wisdom and holiness.

‘oan “vis 30: 7.1 Cor.!xii., 28. bie Peter in,; i106.