Question I: Whether Scripture exerts this efficacy only objectively, or also effectively
But here Question I must be weighed: Whether Sacred Scripture exerts this efficacy only objectively, or also effectively?
Answer: in both ways. For (1) it teaches objectively, showing which way of salvation is true and which false, and which faith, hope, and love are pleasing to God. For that reason theologians compare it to a guidepost and a Mercury-statue — who have also pointed out the instrument as 'guidepost,' the sailor's needle at sea, a lamp on the road, and Theseus's thread in this world's Circus gardens — not without Scripture's authority (Numbers 21:8; Isaiah 30:21).
(2) Effectively it confers on those who read or hear rightly what it offers in showing — God, Christ, and eternal life — but exalted and drawn into living operation by the Holy Spirit. For that reason it is compared to an axe cutting when raised by the carpenter for cutting, and to the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
Latin
Sed hic expendenda est QUESTIO I. Utrum sacra Scriptura objective duntaxat, an vero etiam effective hanc efficaciam exserat? Resp. utroque modo. Nam 1. docet objective, ostendendo, qua via salutis vera, quae falsa; quae fides, spes, charitas Deo grata sit: eaque propter indici ac statuae mercuriali a Theologis comparatur, qui & ὡς ὀδοδείκτης instrumentum, in mari acum nauticam, in via lucernam, in hortis Circensibus hujus mundi filum Thesei inditaverunt, non sine authoritate Scripturae, Num. 21.8. Esa. 30.21. 2. Effective confert rite legentibus vel audientibus, quae indicando offert, ut Deum, Christum & vitam aeternam: sed exaltata & in vivam operationem a Spiritu sancto deducta: hac propter comparatur securi secanti a fabro lignario ad secandum elevata; & gladio spiritus, Eph. 6.17.