Sect. 13. Thus far have we proceeded. The Scripture, the Written Word hath its infallible Truth in its self; John 17 from whence it hath is Verity, thence it hath its Authority; for its Authority is founded upon its Truth. Its Authority in its self, is its Authority in respect to us; nor hath it any whit more in its self, then de jure it hath towards and over them to whom it comes; That de facto some do not submit themselves unto it, is their sin and rebellion. This Truth and consequently this Authority, is evidenced and made known to us, by the public Testimony which is given unto it by the Holy Ghost speaking in it, with divine Light and Power, to the minds, souls and consciences of men: being therein by its self proposed unto us, We being enlightened by the Holy Ghost, (which in the condition wherein we are, is necessary for the Apprehension of any spiritual thing of truth in a spiritual manner)we receive it, and religiously subject our souls unto it, as the Word and Will, and judge of all: And if this be not at the bottom and foundation of faith, I here publicly Profess, that for ought I know, I have no faith at all.
John Owen, Of the Divine Original, Authority, self-evidencing Light, and Power of the Scriptures: With an Answer to that Enquiry, How we know the Scripture’s to be the Word of God. Also A Vindication of the Purity and Integrity of the Hebrew and Greek Texts of the Old and New Testaments; in some Considerations on the Prolegomena (Oxford: Printed by Henry Hall, Printer to the University for Tho: Robinson, 1658), 99-100.
Standard Sacred Text.com 