A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

1. That the Church was before the Scripture, and giveth Authority unto it. By the Scriptures you know that we understand the Word of God, with this •ne Adjunct of its being written by his command and appointment. We do not say that it belongs unto the Essence of the Word of God that it be written: Whatever is spoken by God. we admit as his Word, when we are infallibly assured that by Him it was spoken; and that we should do so before, himself doth not require at our hands: for he would have us use our utmost diligence not to be imposed upon by any in his Name. Therefore we grant that the Word of God was given out for the Rule of men in his Worship, two thousand years before it was written; but it was so given forth, as that they unto whom it came, had infallible assurance that from Him it came and his Word it was: And if you, or any man else, can give us such assurance, that any thing is, or hath been spoken by him, besides what we have now written in the Scripture, we shall receive it with the same faith and obedience, wherewith we receive the Scripture its self. Whereas therefore you say, That the Church was before the Scripture, if you intend no more but that there was a Church in the world, before the word of God was written, we grant it true; but not at all to your purpose. If you intend that the Church is before the Word of God, which at an appointed time was written, it may possibly be wrested unto your ⟨p. 188⟩purpose, but is far from being true; seeing the Church is a society of men, called to the knowledge and worship of God by his Ward. They become a Church by the call of that Word, which it seems you would have not given until they are a Church: of Effects produce their Causes, Children beget their Parents, Light brings forth the Sun, and Heat the Fire: So are the Prophets and Apostles built upon the foundation of the Church, whereof the Pope is the Corner stone: So was the Judaical Church before the Law of i• constitution, and the Christian before the Word of Promise whereon it was founded, and the Word of Command by which it was edified. In brief;

1. That the Church was before the Scripture, and giveth Authority unto it. By the Scriptures you know that wee understand the Word of God, with this •ne Adjunct of its being written by his command and appointment. We do not say that it belongs unto the Essence of the Word of God that it be written: Whatever is spoken by God. wee admit as his Word, when wee are infallibly assured that by Him it was spoken; and that wee should do so before, himself doth not require at our hands: for he would have us use our utmost diligence not to be imposed upon by any in his Name. Therefore wee grant that the Word of God was given out for the Rule of men in his Worship, two thousand years before it was written; but it was so given forth, as that they unto whom it came, had infallible assurance that from Him it came and his Word it was: And if you, or any man else, can give us such assurance, that any thing is, or hath been spoken by him, besides what we have now written in the Scripture, wee shall receive it with the same faith and obedience, wherewith wee receive the Scripture its self. Whereas therefore you say, That the Church was before the Scripture, if you intend no more but that there was a Church in the world, before the word of God was written, wee grant it true; but not at all to your purpose. If you intend that the Church is before the Word of God, which at an appointed time was written, it may possibly be wrested unto your