A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

Now how should a man prove that he doth any thing by the Commission of Christ, but by producing that Commission? that is, in the things about which we ⟨p. 332⟩treat, by declaring and evidencing that the things he proposeth to be believed, are revealed by his spirit in his word, and that things which he rejects are contrary thereunto! And what ever men may pretend, Christ gives out no adverse Commissions; his word is every way and everywhere the same, at perfect harmony and consistency with its self; so that if it come to that, that several Persons do teach contrary doctrines either before or after one another, or together, under the same pretence of receiving them from Christ, as was the case between the Pharisees of old that believed, and the Apostles, they that attend unto them, have a perfect guide to direct them in their choice, a perfect Rule to judge of the things proposed. As in the Church of the Jews the Pharisees had taught the people many things as from God, for their Traditions or Oral Law they pretended to be from God: Our Saviour comes, really a teacher from God, and he disproves their false Doctrines which they had prepossessed the people withal, and all this he doth by the Scripture the Word of Truth which they had before received. And this Example hath he left unto his Church unto the end of the world. But you yet proceed; Why may we not at length reject all the rest for love of something else, when this Love of Christ which is now crept into the very out side of our lips is slipped off from thence! Do you think men cannot find a cavil against him as well as his Law delivered unto us with the first news of him, and as easily dig up the root as cut up the branches! You are the pleasantest man at a disputation that ever I met withal, haud ulli veterum virtute secundus; you outgo your masters in palpable Sophistry. If we may, and ought for the Love of Christ, reject errors and untruths taught by fallible men, then we ⟨p. 333⟩may reject him also for the love of other things. Who doubts it, but men may if they will, if they have a mind to do so? they may do so Physically, but may they do so Morally? may they do so upon the same or as good grounds and reasons as they reject errors and false worship for the sake of Christ? With such kind of arguing is the Roman Cause supported.

Now how should a man prove that he doth any thing by the Commission of Christ, but by producing that Commission? that is, in the things about whch we