A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

But whilst these things are far from us, let us not flatter our selves, as though a windy flourish of words had any efficacy in it to bring us to Moderation and unity. At variance we are, and at variance we must be content to be; that being but one of the Evils that at this day triumph in the world over conquered Christianity. This being supposed.

But whilest these things are farre from us, let us not flatter our selves, as though a windy flourish of words had any efficacy in it to bring us to Moderation and unity. At variance we are, and at variance we must be content to be; that being but one of the Evils that at this day triumph in the world over conquered Christianity. This being suposed.

11. Whereas the Doctrine of God is a Mystery, in the knowledge where of men attain unto Wisdom, according to that measure of light and Grace, which the Spirit who divides unto every man as he will is pleased to communicate unto them, if men would not frame any other Rule or standard unto that Wisdom, and the various degrees of it but only that which God himself hath assigned thereunto, the fuel would upon the matter be wholly taken away from the fire of our ⟨p. 210⟩Contentions. All men have not, nor let men pretend what they please to the contrary ever had, nor ever will have the fame light, the same knowledge, the same spiritual Wisdom and understanding, the same degree of assurance, the same measure of comprehension in the things of God. But whilst they have the same Rule, the same objective Revelation, the use of the same means to grow spiritually wise in the knowledge of it, they have all the agreement that God hath appointed for them, or calls them unto. To frame for them all in Rigid confessions, or Systems of supposed credible Propositions a Procrustes bed to stretch them upon, or crop them unto the size of, so to reduce them to the same opinion in all things, is a vain and fruitless attempt that men have for many Generations wearied themselves about, and yet continue so to do. Remove out of the way Anathemas upon Propositions arbitrarily composed and expressed, Philosophical Conclusions Rules of faith of a mere humane composure, or use them no otherwise but only to testify the voluntary consent of mens minds, in expressing to their own satisfaction the things which they do believe, and let men be esteemed to believe and to have attained degrees in the faith according as they are taught of God, with an allowance for every ones measure of means, light, grace, gifts, which are not things in our own Power, and we shall be nearer unto quietness than most men imagine. When Christians had any unity is the world, the Bible alone was thought to contain their Religion, and every one endeavoured to learn the mind of God out of it, both by their own endeavours, and as they were instructed therein by their guides; neither did they pursue this work with any other end, but only that they might be strengthened in their faith and hope, and learn to serve God and