Scripture's authority is received immediately — not proved from Scripture
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Faith's first principles must bear marks and characters of their divinity and truth, and arguments that recommend them.But they cannot, directly and properly, prove themselves.Nor do they lean on other faith principles from which they would borrow authority.
That first rule of religion — the principles of Christian faith — is for us the divine Scriptures, a fixed set of God-breathed books (θεοπνεύστων).
So on our view Scripture's authority should not be proved from Scripture itself.All Christians receive it immediately, and for its own sake.
Latin
XVIII. Habere quidem debent prima fidei principia divinitatis & veritatis suae notas & characteres, & argumenta quibus probentur & suadeantur: sed directe & proprie seipsa probare non possunt: nec etiam ab aliis pendent fidei principiis, unde authoritatem & fidem mutuentur. Jam vero prima illa religionis regula, & Christianae fidei principia nobis sunt Scripturae divinae constantes certo numero librorum θεοπνεύστων. Ac proinde sacrae Scripturae authoritas, juxta sententiam nostram, ex ipsa Scriptura probari non debet, sed ab omnibus Christianis immediate & propter se suscipi.