A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

But once to suppose that such persons through a defect of the means appointed by Christ for the instruction and direction before mentioned may everlastingly miscarry, is to cast an unspeakable reproach on the goodness, grace and faithfulness of God, and enough to discourage all men from enquiring after the truth. And these things the Reader will find further cleared in the ensuing discourse, with a discovery of the weakness, falseness and insufficiency ⟨image 8⟩of those rules and reliefs which are tendered unto us by the Romanists in the lieu of them that are given us by God himself. Now if this be the condition of things in Christian Religion as to any one that hath with sincerity consulted the Scripture, or considered the Goodness, Grace and Wisdom of God, it must needs appear to be, it is manifest that mens startling at it, or being offended upon the account of divisions and differences among them that make profession thereof, is nothing but a pretence to cloak and hide their sloth and supine negligence, with their unwillingness to come up unto the indispensable condition of learning the truth as it is in Jesus, namely obedience unto his whole will, and all his commands so far as he is pleased to reveal them unto us. With others they are but incentives unto that diligence, and watchfulness, which the things themselves in their nature high and arduous, and in their importance of everlasting moment, require at your hands? Further on those who by the means forementioned come to the knowledge of the truth, it is incumbent according as they are by Gods providence called thereunto, and as they receive ability from him for that purpose, to contend earnestly for it. Nor is their so doing any part of the evil that attends differences and divisions, but a means appointed by God himself for their cure and ⟨image 9⟩removal, provided as the Apostle speaks that they strive or contend lawfully. The will of God must be done in the ways of his own appointment.

But once to suppose that such persons through a defect of the means appointed by Christ for the instruction and direction before mentioned may everlastingly miscarry, is to cast an unspeakable reproach on the goodness, grace and faithfulness of God, and enough to discourage all men from enquiring after the truth. And these things the Reader will find further cleared in the ensuing discourse, with a discovery of the weakness, falseness and insufficiency