A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

And whereas you add, or with as much probability dissent from it either totally or in part, as himself first set it, when the very preceding words do not speak of a mans own setting, but of the Scriptures settling, the man only embracing what that settleth and determineth: It is answered already; that what is so settled by the Scripture, and received as settled, cannot justly be questioned by any. And you insinuate a most irrational Supposition on which your Assertion is built, namely that Error may have as much probability as Truth. For I suppose you will grant, that what is settled by the Scripture is true, and therefore that which dissents from it must needs be an error; which that it may be as probable indeed as Truth (for we speak not of appearances, which have all their strength from our weaknesses) is a new notion which may well be added to your many other of the like rarity and evidence. But, why is not the Scripture able to settle men in unquestionable Truth? When the people of old doubted about the ways of God wherein they ought to walk, himself sends them to the Law and to the Testimony for their instruction and settlement, Isa 8. 20. And we think the counsel of him, who cannot deceive nor be deceived, is to be hearkened unto, as well as his command to be obeyed. Our Saviour assures us, that if men will not hear Moses and the Prophets, and take direction from them for those ways wherein they may please God, they will not do it, whatsoever they pretend from any other means, which they rather approve of, Luk. 16. 29, 31. Yea and when the great Fundamental of Christian Religion, concerning the Person of the Messiah, was in question, he sends men for their settlement unto the Scriptures, Joh. 5. 39. And we suppose that that ⟨p. 108⟩which is sufficient to settle us in the foundation, is so, to confirm us also in the whole superstructure. Especially considering that it is able to make the man of God perfect, and to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. What more is required unto the settlement of any one in Religion we know not; nor what can rationally stand in competition with the Scripture to this purpose; seeing that is expressly commended unto us for it by the Holy Ghost, other ways are built on the conjectures of men.