A letter written out of the country to a person of quality in the…A letter written out of the countrey to a person of quality in the…

And though he hath lately told the World there are some passages in that book that show only the inconsiderateness of Youth, and that he seems to wish unsaid, yet he hath not, that we know, declared that these are some of them. However since this present determination and judgement of his against us is so peremptory and positive as well as severe, let us in the next place,

And though he hath lately told the World there are some passages in that book that shew only the inconsiderateness of Youth, and that he seems to wish unsaid, yet he hath not, that we know, declared that these are some of them. However since this present determination and judgement of his against us is so peremptory and positive as well as severe, let us in the next place,

2. Consider and carefully examine as we are concerned, what he hath performed in defence of it, and it is to be hoped the inefficacy and weakness of his attempt therein will sufficiently appear. What I can find in his Sermon hath any aspect or design that way is either ad rem or, ad hominem. And to my apprehension his reasonings, of the one kind or the other, are altogether unconcluding.

1. As to what may be supposed to be ad rem, if you look narrowly you will find, that the principal things alleged by him, that can, under that notion, give support to his Cause, are only affirmed, but not proved. For instance, p. 9. When he tells us, that the Apostle supposed the necessity of one fixed and certain Rule, &c. This ⟨p. 24⟩had been very material to his purpose; if, 1. He had told us, and had proved, the Apostle meant some Rule or other super-added to the Sacred Scriptures: For then he might, it is to be presumed, as easily have let us know what that Rule was, which, most probably, would have ended all our controversy; it being little to be doubted we should all, most readily, have agreed to obey it. Or, 2ly, If he had proved, that, because the Apostle had power to make such a Rule, and oblige the Churches to observe it, that therefore such Church-Guides as they whose cause the Doctor pleads, have an equal power to make other Rules divers from his, containing many new things, which he never enjoined, and to enforce them upon the Church; (though manifestly tending to its destruction rather than edification.) But these things he doth but suppose himself, without colour of proof.