A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

There is therefore nothing in the whole Combination against Christ and the Gospel which is found in the Papacy, of a more pernicious Nature and Tendency, than is the Design of keeping the People in Ignorance. So far are they from promoting the Knowledge of Christ in the Members of their Communion, as that they endeavour by all means to obstruct it. For not to mention their numerous Errors and Heresies, every one whereof is a diversion from the Truth, and an hindrance from coming to an Acquaintance with it, they do directly keep from them the use of those means whereby alone its Knowledge may be attained. What else means their Prohibition of the People from reading the Scripture in a Language they understand? The most expeditious Course for the rendering of all Streams unuseful, is by stopping of the Fountain. And whereas all means of the increase of Knowledge are but Emanations from the Scripture, the Prohibition of the use thereof doth effectually evacuate them all. Was this spirit in our Apostle? Had he this Design? It is evident to all how openly and frequently he expresseth himself to the contrary. And to his Example ought we to conform our selves. Whatever other occasion of writing he had, the principal subject of his Epistles, is constantly the increase of Light and Knowledge in the Churches, which he knew to be so necessary for them. We may therefore add,

There is therefore nothing in the whole Combination against Christ and the Gospel which is found in the Papacy, of a more pernicious Nature and Tendency, than is the Design of keeping the People in Ignorance. So far are they from promoting the Knowledge of Christ in the Members of their Communion, as that they endeavour by all means to obstruct it. For not to mention their numerous Errors and Heresies, every one whereof is a diversion from the Truth, and an hindrance from coming to an Acquaintance with it, they do directly keep from them the use of those means whereby alone its Knowledge may be attained. What else means their Prohibition of the People from reading the Scripture in a Language they understand? The most expeditious Course for the rendring of all Streams unuseful, is by stopping of the Fountain. And whereas all means of the increase of Knowledge are but Emanations from the Scripture, the Prohibition of the use thereof doth effectually evacuate them all. Was this spirit in our Apostle? Had he this Design? It is evident to all how openly and frequently he expresseth himself to the contrary. And to his Example ought we to conform our selves. Whatever other occasion of writing he had, the principal subject of his Epistles, is constantly the increase of Light and Knowledge in the Churches, which he knew to be so necessary for them. We may therefore add,