Further reasons for Scripture's perfection: Christ's judgment, spoken and written Word, Abraham, and the Apostles
Fifth, from the judgment of Christ, who for this cause exhorts the Jews to search the Scriptures — or at least approves that they set their study in searching them (John 5:39) — because in them He presents Himself wholly to be known, and brands ignorance of them as the mother of all errors (Mark 12:24), and sets them far above every other revelation, however miraculous (Luke 16:29).
Sixth, from the equating of the word pronounced and the word written, as equivalent helps which Christ and the Apostles used (Luke 24:27; Acts 17:2; 26:22; Philippians 3:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 John 1:3–4; Luke 1:3–4; Acts 1:1).
Seventh, from Abraham's reply (Luke 16:29): They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Eighth, from the testimony of the Apostles, and from their precept by which they forbid us to be wise above what is written, and from their example by which from the Scriptures alone they confirm their doctrine, refute adversaries, and preach nothing beyond what Moses and the prophets had foretold (1 Corinthians 4:6; Acts 26:22).
Ninth, from the less probable. For if the Apostles themselves clung so tightly to the Scripture of the Old Testament, much more we, after that old canon has been enlarged by so lucid an interpretation and addition of the New Testament — we who are endowed neither with an equal measure of the Spirit nor with equal authority. And now the Scripture of the Old Testament is called a perfect law, imparting life (Psalm 19:7; 119), wisdom and prudence (Deuteronomy 4:6; 17:19; 31:11–13).
Latin
5. A judicio Christi, qui ob hanc causam Judaeos ad Scripturas scrutandas cohortatur, vel saltem quod in illis scrutandis studium ponebant, probat, Joh. 5.v.39. quia in illis integre cognoscendum se praebet, earumque ignorantiam tanquam omnium errorum matrem traducit Marc. 12.v.24. omnibusque aliis revelationibus, quamvis miraculosis longissime anteponit, Luc. 16.v.29. 6. Ab exaequatione verbi pronunciati & scripti, tanquam adminiculorum aequipollentium, quibus Christus & Apostoli usi sunt, Luc. 24.27. Act. 17.2. & 26.22. Phil. 3.1. 2. Thess. 2.15. 1. Joh. 1.3.4. Luc. 1.3.4. Act. 1.1. 7. A responso Abrahami, Luc. 16.29. Habent Mosen & prophetas; audiant eos. 8. A testimonio Apostolorum, eorumque praecepto, quo vetant nos sapere supra id quod scriptum est, & exemplo, quo ex solis Scripturis doctrinam suam confirmant, adversarios refellunt, nec quicquam extra ea, quae Moses & prophetae praedixerant, praedicant, 1. Cor. 4.v.6. Act. 26.v.22. 9. A minus probabili. Si enim ad veteris testamenti Scripturam tam arcte adhaerebant ipsi Apostoli, multo magis nos, postquam vetus ille canon tam luculenta novi testamenti interpretatione & accessione auctus est; quippe qui nec pari spiritus mensura, nec pari autoritate praediti sumus. Jam vero Scriptura veteris testamenti dicitur lex perfecta, vitam impertiens, psal. 19. & 119. Sapientia & prudentia, Deut. 4.v.6. & 17.19. & 31.11.12.13.