More reasons for the Christian religion and no reason against it, or, A second…

XII. Whether Interest make the Judgment of Divines in the Cause of faith more suspicious or contemptible than other mens? I put this Question with respect to those words in the Preface. Sed neque auspicaciores ubique posterioris istius seculi Scriptores dicendi sunt—Fit ita ut pro Regionum & fidei diversitate in id potissimum incumbant, ne illos domi male multet inopia, adeoque non tam quid in se verum, quam quid sibi ipsis utile exquirant.—Non est igitur a larvato aliquo vel stipendioso Scriptore, ut verum Consummatum opperiaris. Illorum apprime interest, ne personam deponant, vel aliter quidem sentiant. Ingenuus & sui arbitrii, ista solummodo praestabit Author.

Answ. First, It is not to be denied, that there are multitudes of such ⟨p. 163⟩Carnal Pastors in the Churches, that are Christians for the case, honour and wealth. Secondly, But that this should be so with all, I shall disprove, and prove that none on earth are so credible in this case as Divines. First, Because they have made it the business of their lives to search out the truth: and therefore (some of them) must be supposed to have the greatest advantages to know it. So that for Ability they have no sort of men that are Competitors. For diligence and helps are the improvers of understanding. And all men are found best at their own profession; Lawyers in the Law, Physicians in Medicine, Philosophers in Philosophy, &c. And for your self, your next words are, [Nobis tamen ad alia omnia fere quam literarum studia (uti oportuit) exequenda, otium fuit: Partim armis in diversis regionibus, partim quinquennali Legation, partim negotiis tum publicis tum privatis, vacavimus] And is not this your disadvantage? Who is a good Linguist, Lawyer, Physician, &c. that hath had but little leisure for his studies?

Answ. First, It is not to be denyed, that there are multitudes of such ⟨p. 163⟩Carnal Pastors in the Churches, that are Christians for the case, honour and wealth. Secondly, But that this should be so with all, I shall disprove, and prove that none on earth are so credible in this case as Divines. First, Because they have made it the business of their lives to search out the truth: and therefore (some of them) must be supposed to have the greatest advantages to know it. So that for Ability they have no sort of men that are Competitors. For diligence and helps are the improvers of understanding. And all men are found best at their own profession; Lawyers in the Law, Physicians in Medicine, Philosophers in Philosophy, &c. And for your self, your next words are, [Nobis tamen ad alia omnia fere quam literarum studia (uti oportuit) exequenda, otium fuit: Partim armis in diversis regionibus, partim quinquennali Legatione, partim negotiis tum publicis tum privatis, vacavimus] And is not this your disadvantage? Who is a good Linguist, Lawyer, Physician, &c. that hath had but little leisure for his studies?