The nature and immortality of the soul proved in answer to one who professed…

And I. Those Testimonies which depend on mens Honesty, are no farther credible, than we know the Honesty of the men: which in some is great, in some is none, in most is mixed, and lubricous, and doubtful, Alas! what abundance of false History is in the world! Who can trust the Honesty of such men, as multitudes of Popes, Prelates, and Priests have been? Will they stick at a Lye, that stick not at Blood, or any wickedness? Besides, the ignorance which invalidates their Testimony.

And I. Those Testimonies which depend on mens Honesty, are no farther credible, than we know the Honesty of the men: which in some is great, in some is none, in most is mixt, and lubricous, and doubtful, Alas! what abundance of false History is in the world! Who can trust the Honesty of such men, as multitudes of Popes, Prelates, and Priests have been? Will they stick at a Lye, that stick not at Blood, or any wickedness? Besides, the ignorance which invalidates their Testimony.

II. And to pretend Authority to rule our Faith, is the most unsatisfactory way of all. ⟨p. 66⟩For before you can believe that Jesus is the Christ, and his Word true, how many impossibilities have you to believe? 1. You must believe that Christ hath a Church. 2. And hath authorized them to determine what is to be believed, before you believe that he is Christ. 3. You must know who they be whom you must believe; whether all, or some, or a major vote. Whether out of all▪ the world, or a party. 4. And how far their Authority extendeth? Whether to judg whether there be a God, or no God; a Christ, or no Christ; a Heaven, or none; a Gospel, or none: or what. 5. And how their determinations out of all the world may come with certainty to us: and where to find them. 6. And when Countries and Councils contradict and condemn each other, which is to be believed. Many such impossibilities in the Roman way, must be believed, before a man can believe that Jesus is the Christ. In a word, you must not puzzle your head to know what a man is, or whether he have an immortal soul; but you must, 1. believe the Church of Believers, before you are a Believer in Christ. 2. And you must believe, that Christ was God and Man, and came to save man, before you believe that there is such a creature as man, or what he is, and whether he have a soul capable of salvation. But I have oft elsewhere opened these Absurdities and Contradictions;