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（21） The modes of expression and discourse adopted by the Apostles
in the Epistles； show very clearly that the latter were not written by
revelation and Divine command； but merely by the natural powers and
judgment of the authors。 （22） They consist in brotherly admonitions and
courteous expressions such as would never be employed in prophecy； as
for instance； Paul's excuse in Romans xv：15； 〃I have written the more
boldly unto you in some sort； my brethren。〃
（23） We may arrive at the same conclusion from observing that we
never read that the Apostles were commanded to write； but only that they
went everywhere preaching； and confirmed their words with signs。 （24）
Their personal presence and signs were absolutely necessary for the
conversion and establishment in religion of the Gentiles； as Paul himself
expressly states in Rom。 i：11； 〃But I long to see you； that I may impart to
you some spiritual gift； to the end that ye may be established。〃
（25） It may be objected that we might prove in similar fashion that the
Apostles did not preach as prophets； for they did not go to particular
places； as the prophets did； by the command of God。 （26） We read in the
Old Testament that Jonah went to Nineveh to preach； and at the same time
that he was expressly sent there； and told that he most preach。 （27） So also
it is related； at great length； of Moses that he went to Egypt as the
messenger of God； and was told at the same time what he should say to the
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children of Israel and to king Pharaoh； and what wonders he should work
before them to give credit to his words。 （28） Isaiah； Jeremiah； and Ezekiel
were expressly commanded to preach to the Israelites。 Lastly； the prophets
only preached what we are assured by Scripture they had received from
God； whereas this is hardly ever said of the Apostles in the New Testament；
when they went about to preach。 （29） On the contrary； we find passages
expressly implying that the Apostles chose the places where they should
preach on their own responsibility； for there was a difference amounting to
a quarrel between Paul and Barnabas on the subject （Acts xv：37； 38）。 （30）
Often they wished to go to a place； but were prevented； as Paul writes；
Rom。 i：13； 〃Oftentimes I purposed to come to you； but was let hitherto；〃
and in I Cor。 xvi：12； 〃As touching our brother Apollos； I greatly desired
him to come unto you with the brethren； but his will was not at all to come
at this time： but he will come when he shall have convenient time。〃
（31） From these expressions and differences of opinion among the
Apostles； and also from the fact that Scripture nowhere testifies of them；
as of the ancient prophets； that they went by the command of God； one
might conclude that they preached as well as wrote in their capacity of
teachers； and not as prophets： but the question is easily solved if we
observe the difference between the mission of an Apostle and that of an
Old Testament prophet。 （32） The latter were not called to preach and
prophesy to all nations； but to certain specified ones； and therefore an
express and peculiar mandate was required for each of them； the Apostles；
on the other hand； were called to preach to all men absolutely； and to turn
all men to religion。 （33） Therefore； whithersoever they went； they were
fulfilling Christ's commandment； there was no need to reveal to them
beforehand what they should preach； for they were the disciples of Christ
to whom their Master Himself said （Matt。 X：19； 20）： 〃But； when they
deliver you up； take no thought how or what ye shall speak； for it shall be
given you in that same hour what ye shall speak。〃 （34） We therefore
conclude that the Apostles were only indebted to special revelation in what
they orally preached and confirmed by signs （see the beginning of Chap。
11。）； that which they taught in speaking or writing without any
confirmatory signs and wonders they taught from their natural knowledge。
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（See I Cor。 xiv：6。） （35） We need not be deterred by the fact that all the
Epistles begin by citing the imprimatur of the Apostleship； for the Apostles；
as I will shortly show； were granted； not only the faculty of prophecy； but
also the authority to teach。 （36） We may therefore admit that they wrote
their Epistles as Apostles； and for this cause every one of them began by
citing the Apostolic imprimatur； possibly with a view to the attention of
the reader by asserting that they were the persons who had made such
mark among the faithful by their preaching； and had shown bv many
marvelous works that they were teaching true religion and the way of
salvation。 （37） I observe that what is said in the Epistles with regard to the
Apostolic vocation and the Holy Spirit of God which inspired them； has
reference to their former preaching； except in those passages where the
expressions of the Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit are used to signify a
mind pure； upright； and devoted to God。 （38） For instance； in 1 Cor。 vii：40；
Paul says： But she is happier if she so abide； after my judgment； and I
think also that I have the Spirit of God。〃 （39） By the Spirit of God the
Apostle here refers to his mind； as we may see from the context： his
meaning is as follows： 〃I account blessed a widow who does not wish to
marry a second husband； such is my opinion； for I have settled to live
unmarried； and I think that I am blessed。〃 （40） There are other similar
passages which I need not now quote。
（41） As we have seen that the Apostles wrote their Epistles solely by
the light of natural reason； we must inquire how they were enabled to
teach by natural knowledge matters outside its scope。 （42） However； if we
bear in mind what we said in Chap。 VII。 of this treatise our difficulty will
vanish： for although the contents of the Bible entirely surpass our
understanding； we may safely discourse of them； provided we assum