A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

And do you not know that many who have in former days been by Heretics converted to Christianity from Paganism, have afterwards from the Principles of their Christianity been convinced of their heresy, and retaining the one, have rejected the other? It is not for your advantage to maintain an opposition against so evident a Truth, and exemplified by so many instances in all ages. I know well enough the ground of your pertinaciousness in your mistake, it is that men who receive the Gospel, do resolve their faith into the Authority of them that first preach it unto them. Now this supposition is openly false and universally as to all persons what ever not divinely inspired, yea as to the Apostles themselves but only with respect unto their working of Miracles, which gave Testimony unto the Doctrine that they taught. Otherwise Gods Revelation contained in the Scriptures is that which the faith of men is formally and ultimately resolved into; so that what ever Propositions that are made unto them, they may reject, unless ⟨p. 330⟩they do it with a non obstante for its supposed Revelation, the whole Revelation abides unshaken, and their saith founded thereon. But as to the Persons who first bring unto any the tidings of the Gospel, seeing the faith of them that receive it, is not resolved into their Authority or Infallibility, they may, they ought to examine their proposals by that unerring word which they ultimately rest upon, as did the Beraeans, and receive or reject them at first or afterwards as they see cause, and this without the least impeachment of the truth or Authority of the Gospel its self which under this formal consideration as revealed of God, they absolutely believe. Let us now see what you except hereunto. First you ask, What love of Christs dictates, what commission of Christ allows you to choose and reject at your own pleasure? Ans. None; nor was that at all in question, nor do you speak like a man that durst look upon the true state of the Controversy between us. You proclaim your cause desperate by this perpetual tergiversation.

And do you not know that many who have in former dayes been by Hereticks converted to Christianity from Paganism, have afterwards from the Principles of their Christianity been convinced of their heresie, and retaining the one, have rejected the other? It is not for your advantage to maintain an opposition against so evident a Truth, and exemplified by so many instances in all ages. I know well enough the ground of your pertinaciousness in your mistake, it is that men who receive the Gospel, do resolve their faith into the Authority of them that first preach it unto them. Now this supposition is openly false and universally as to all persons what ever not divinely inspired, yea as to the Apostles themselves but only with respect unto their working of Miracles, which gave Testimony unto the Doctrine that they taught. Otherwise Gods Revelation contained in the Scriptures is that which the faith of men is formally and ultimately resolved into; so that what ever Propositions that are made unto them, they may reject, unless