line upon line

In condescension to our ignorance, it has pleased GOD, not only to give us what might have been deemed sufficient for our information, but also to add “line upon line,” so that there might be every help given to those who have a desire to know the truth, and every reasonable excuse taken away from such as resolve to oppose it, and to follow the guidance of self-will and the delusions of their own proud minds and depraved hearts. It might then seem strange to us that defect, insufficiency, and obscurity have been ascribed to the Scriptures, did we not know that these charges have been made by such as wish Revelation to be otherwise than it is; they having imbibed errors and adopted superstitions to which it yields no countenance, but which it condemns in terms so plain, that they must be represented as defective or obscure in order to be evaded.

John Owen, “Translator’s Preface,” Calvin’s Commentary on Hebrews (Baker: Grand Rapids, 2009) v.