First, it is but a false new light which expelleth not only the old darkness, but much of the good old light. As in Medecins ⟨p. 127⟩the Paracelsian way is most dangerous when it is destructive to the Galenic way, and overthroweth the old approved principles, yet tis of very good use when prudently, and skilfully managed, for perfecting the Galenic way, and for doing things more speedily, easily, and pleasantly, than the Galenic way could do: So in Divinity, such new Lights as do not expel, but retain, improve, and perfect the old, may be of singular good use: but those new Lights which are destructive and expulsive of the old true Lights, those new ways which lead us away from the old and the good way, are to be utterly disliked and avoided, 2 Epist: of John vers: 8. Look to your selves, that we lose not th•se things which we have gained. He speaks it against those deceivers who would have seduced them from the Doctrine of Christ, as is evident both from the preceding vers and from that which followeth: Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God, &c Rom. 16. 17. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. A Bishop, saith Paul, must hold fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, •it▪ 1. 9. Phil. 3. 16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. This he adds as a prevention of a dangerous mistake, and abuse of that which he had said immediately before: And if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Behold, a reserve for any new Light, might some say: Nay but take •eed saith the Apostle, you do not shut forth, but keep fast the light you have already attained unto, you must not under pretence of new light, loose what you have gained, Col. 2. 6, 7, 8. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving: Beware least any man spoil you through Philosophy, and vain deceit; &c. These ⟨p. 128⟩Apostolical rules, are very far contrary to the Academical; yea, Pyrrhonian demur and dubitation, by which some call in question the most received Doctrines in the Christian Church.
First, it is but a false new light which expelleth not only the old darknesse, but much of the good old light. As in Medecins ⟨p. 127⟩the Paracelsian way is most dangerous when it is destructive to the Galenik way, and overthroweth the old approved principles, yet tis of very good use when prudently, and skilfully managed, for perfecting the Galenik way, and for doing things more speedily, easily, and pleasantly, than the Galenik way could doe: So in Divinity, such new Lights as do not expell, but retaine, improve, and perfect the old, may be of singular good use: but those new Lights which are destructive and expulsive of the old true Lights, those new wayes which lead us away from the old and the good way, are to be utterly disliked and avoided, 2 Epist: of Iohn vers: 8. Look to your selves, that we lose not th•se things which we have gained. Hee speaks it against those deceavers who would have seduced them from the Doctrine of Christ, as is evident both from the preceeding vers and from that which followeth: Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God, &c Rom. 16. 17. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. A Bishop, saith Paul, must hold fast the faithfull word, as he hath been taught, •it▪ 1. 9. Phil. 3. 16. Neverthelesse, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same minde. This he addes as a prevention of a dangerous mistake, and abuse of that which he had said immediatly before: And if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveale even this unto you. Behold, a reserve for any new Light, might some say: Nay but take •eed saith the Apostle, you do not shut forth, but keep fast the light you have already attained unto, you must not under pretence of new light, loose what you have gained, Col. 2. 6, 7, 8. As ye have therefore receaved Christ Iesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and stablisht in the faith, as yee have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving: Beware least any man spoil you through Philosophie, and vain deceit; &c. These ⟨p. 128⟩Apostolicall rules, are very far contrary to the Accademicall; yea, Pyrrhonian demurre and dubitation, by which some call in question the most received Doctrines in the Christian Church.
