An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 27. Therefore they that gather true Systems of Theology, do not add to the Scripture, nor feign it to have a Method which it hath not (no more than Catechisms do) but only gather out that Doctrine which is there, and deliver it in the true Scripture-method; not as it lieth in the order of Words, but in the order of Relation that one Truth hath to another. And to despise this real Method, because every dull and slothful Wit doth not see it in the Scriptures, is indeed to despise the Matter and Design of the Scripture, and to despise all true and clear Knowledge of things Divine: For to see Truths placed in their proper Order, doth differ from a knowing of some confused parcels, as knowing the parts of a Man, a Picture, a Clock, a House, a Ship, &c. duly compaginated, and seeing all the parts cast confusedly on a heap. But to draw up a true Method is the Work of a skilful hand; and mistaken ones so seduce, that one Error in the Order leads to many.

§. 28. Yet even Catechumens and young Christians should learn what they learn in method: And that is first the said Baptismal Covenant, and our Relation to the Trinity thereby; and all that is added to their Knowledge daily (be it never so little) should be methodically added: For a weak head may perceive the true method of the ⟨p. 148⟩few Essentials (being great and plain), though the strongest cannot follow the due Distribution of innumerable Integrals and Consequent Truths: As the first partitions of the Tree into its greater Boughs, are easily perceived, though not the innumerable sprigs thence arising.

§. 29. Accordingly a wise Teacher will proceed with Infidels in proving the Christian Religion, (yea, and with himself); and will first prove the Truth of the Essentials (which are delivered us both in Scripture, and other infallible Tradition) before he undertake to prove all the Scriptures to be the Word of God: For he that will begin here, 1. Must show the Book which he will so prove; and when he cannot vindicate it from variety of Lections, and the Errors of Scribes and Printers (to say nothing of the greater of Translators) it will stop him in his Designs. 2. And when he hath so many thousand Words to prove to be Divine, and so many Integrals and Accidentals to make good, he maketh his Work difficult, by allowing his Scholar to doubt as much of the Essentials of Religion, as he shall doubt of the Truth of any particular Book or Text, History, Genealogy, &c. in the whole Scripture. A blind Zeal for Scripture hath led some to this dangerous way; but the ancient Churches did otherwise, and so will all that well understand what they do. And really on supposition it could be proved (as it cannot) that any Penman of the Scripture erred in a Citation, a Genealogy, the Circumstance of a bye-History, &c. it would not follow, that we must be therefore uncertain of all our Religion, even the Essentials; and they ignorantly betray their Faith, that say, It would so follow.