Animadversions on a treatise entitled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…Animadversions on a treatise intituled Fiat lux, or, A guide in differences of religion,…

6. We have not yet done with the Scripture. That the taking it for the only rule of faith, the only determiner of differences, is the only cause of all our differences, and which keeps us in a condition of having them endless; is also pretended and pleaded. But, how shall we know this to be so? Christ and his Apostles were absolutely of another mind; and so were Moses and the Prophets, before them. The ancient Fathers of the Primitive Church walked in their steps, and umpired all differences in Religion, by the Scriptures; opposing, confuting, and condemning Errors and Heresies by ⟨p. 239⟩them; preserving, through their guidance, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. In these latter days of the world, which surely are none of the best, we have a few unknown persons come from Rome, would persuade us, that the Scripture, and the use of it, is the cause of all our differences, and the means of making them endless. But why so, I pray? Doth it teach us to differ, and contend? Doth it speak contradictions, and set us at variance? Is there any spirit of dissension breathing in it? Doth it not deliver what it commands us to understand, so as it may be understood? Is there any thing needful for us to know, in the things of God, but what it reveals? Who can tell us, what that is? But do we not see, de facto, what differences there are amongst you, who pretend, all of you, to be guided by Scripture? Yea, and we see also, what Surfeitings and drunkenness there is in the world; but yet, do not think, bread, meat, and drink to be the causes of them; and yet they are to the full as much so, as the Scriptures are of our Differences▪ Pray, Sir, do not think, that sober men ⟨p. 240⟩will cast away their Food, and starve themselves, because you tell them, that some continually abuse and surfeit on that very kind of food which they use. Nor will some mens abuse of it, prevail with others to cast away the food of their souls, if they have any design to live eternally.

6. We have not yet done with the Scripture. That the taking it for the only rule of faith, the only determiner of differences, is the only cause of all our differences, and which keeps us in a condition of having them endless; is also pretended and pleaded. But, how shall we know this to be so? Christ and his Apostles were absolutely of another mind; and so were Moses and the Prophets, before them. The antient Fathers of the Primitive Church walked in their steps, and umpired all differences in Religion, by the Scriptures; opposing, confuting, and condemning Errors and Heresies by