A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

And the several degrees that men attain uuto in their Apprehensions of it, doth no more reflect a charge of variety upon it, than the difference of Seeing as to the several degrees of the sharpness or obtuseness of our bodily eyes, doth upon the Light given by the Sun. The Truth is; if there was any common measure of the Assents of men, ⟨p. 130⟩either as to the intension of it, as it is subjectively in their minds; or extension of it, as it respecteth Truths revealed that belonged unto the Unity of Faith, it were impossible there should be any such thing in the world, at least that any such thing should be known to be. Only this I acknowledge, that it is the Duty of all men to come up to the full and explicit acknowledgement of all the Truths revealed in the word of God, wherein the Glory of God, and the Christians Duty are concerned: as also to a joint consent in Faith objective, or propositions of Truth revealed; at least in things of most importance, though their faith subjective, or the internal assent of their minds have, as it will have, in several Persons, various degrees, yea in the same Persons it may be, at different seasons. And in our labouring to come up unto this joint-acknowledgement of the same sense and intendment of God in all revealed Truths, consists our endeavour after that perfection in the Unity of Faith which in this life is attainable; as our moderation doth in our walking in peace and love with and towards others, according to what we have already attained. We may distinguish then between that Unity of Faith which an interest in, gives Union with Christ unto them that hold it, and Communion in Love with all equally interested therein; and that Accomplishment of it, which gives a sameness of Profession, and consent in all acts of outward Communion in the worship of God. The first is found in, and amongst, all the Disciples of Christ in the world where-ever they are; the latter is that which moreover it is your Duty to press after. The former consists in an Assent in general unto all the Truths of God revealed in the Scripture, and in particular unto them that we have sufficient means to evidence them unto us to be so ⟨p. 131⟩revealed: The latter may come under a double consideration;

And the severall degrees that men attain uuto in their Apprehensions of it, doth no more reflect a charge of variety upon it, than the difference of Seeing as to the severall degrees of the sharpness or obtuseness of our bodily eyes, doth upon the Light given by the Sunne. The Truth is; if there was any common measure of the Assents of men,