A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

The Question is, whither when men preach the Gospel unto others, as a Revelation from God, and bring along the Scripture with them wherein they say that Revelation is comprised, when that is received as such, and hath its authority confirmed in the minds of them that receive it, whither are they not bound to try all the teaching in particular of them that first bring it unto them, or afterwards continue the preaching of it, whither it be consonant to that Rule or Word, wherein they believe the whole Revelation of the will of God relating to the Gospel declared unto them to be contained, and to embrace what is suitable thereunto, and to reject any thing that in particular may be by the mistakes of the teachers imposed upon them? Instead of believing ⟨p. 331⟩what the Scripture teacheth, and rejecting what it condemns, you substitute choosing or rejecting at your own pleasure, a thing wherein our discourse is not at all concerned. You add, What Heretic was ever so much a fool as not to pretend the Love of Christ, and Commission of Christ for what he did? What then I pray! may not others do a thing really upon such grounds as some pretend to do them on falsely? may not a Judge have his Commission from the King, because some have counterfeited the great Seal? May not you sincerely seek the good and peace of your Country upon the Principles of your Religion, though some pretending the same Principles have sought its disturbance and ruin? If there be any force in this exception, it overthrows the Authority and Efficacy of every thing that any man may falsely pretend unto, which is to shut out all order, Rule, Government, and virtue out of the world. You proceed, How shall any one know you do it out of any such Love or Commission, sith those who delivered the Articles of saith now rejected, pretended equal love to Christ and Commission of Christ for the delivery of them as any other! I wonder you should proceed with such impertinent enquiries. How can any man manifest that he doth any thing by the Commission of another, but by his producing and manifesting his Commission to be his? and how can be prove that the doth it out of Love to him, but by his diligence, care, and conscience in the discharge of his Duty, as our Saviour tells us, saying if you love me, keep my Commandments, which is the proper effect of love unto him, and open evidence or manifestation of it.

The Question is, whither when men preach the Gospel unto others, as a Revelation from God, and bring along the Scripture with them wherein they say that Revelation is comprized, when that is received as such, and hath its authority confirmed in the minds of them that receive it, whither are they not bound to try all the teaching in particular of them that first bring it unto them, or afterwards continue the preaching of it, whither it be consonant to that Rule or Word, wherein they believe the whole Revelation of the will of God relating to the Gospel declared unto them to be contained, and to embrace what is suitable thereunto, and to reject any thing that in particular may be by the mistakes of the teachers imposed upon them? Instead of believing