Isaac Pennington:
“Objection: But are not the Scriptures the word of God? And is
not the word of God to be a Christian’s rule? If everyone should be left
to his own spirit, what confusion and uncertainty would this produce!
Answer: The Scriptures are not that living Word, which is
appointed by God to be the rule of a Christian; but they contain words
spoken by the Spirit of God, testifying of that Word, and pointing to
that Word which is to be the rule. “Search the Scriptures, for in them
you think to have eternal life, and these are they which testify of me;
and you will not come to me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40. The
Scriptures are to be searched for the testimony which they give of
Christ; and when that testimony is received, Christ is to be found, and
life received from him. But the Pharisees formerly, and Christians since
(I mean Christians in name) search the Scriptures, but do not come to
Christ for the life. Rather, they stick to the letter of the Scriptures,
and oppose the life with the letter. They keep themselves from the life
by their wisdom and knowledge in the letter. In this way they put the
Scriptures into the place of Christ, and so honor neither Christ nor the
Scriptures.”
Excerpt From
The Writings of Isaac Penington -- Volume 1
Isaac Penington
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