A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux

If in these vain loose expressions you design any thing else, it seems to be an opposition between reading and studying the Scriptures, or joining with understanding in the prayers of the Church, the things under Consideration, and the getting of the power of the word of God to dwell in the heart; which is skilfully to oppose the means and the end, and those placed in that relation not only by their natural aptitude, but also by Gods express appointment and command. So wisely also do you oppose reading and doing in general; as though reading were not doing, and a part of that obedience which God requires at our hands, and a blessed means of helping and furthering us in the remainder of it. For certainly that we may do the will of God, it is required that we know it. And what better way there is to come to the knowledge of the will of God then by reading and me litating in and upon the word of Truth wherein he hath revealed it, with the advantage of the other means of his appointment for the same end in the public preaching or proposition of it, I am not as yet informed. And I wish you had acquainted us with those two words of our Saviour, and that one of the Apostle, wherein they give us a Compendium of all Divine Truths. For if it be so, I am persuaded ⟨p. 532⟩you will be to seek for your warrant in imposing your long Creeds, and almost Volumes of Propositions to be believed as such. But you cannot avoid mistakes in things that you might omit as not at all to your purpose. Our Saviour indeed gives us the two general heads of those duties of Obedience which are required at our hands towards God and our Neighbours; and the Apostle shows the Perfection of it to consist in Love, with its due exercise; but where in two or three words they give us the Compendium of all Divine Truths which we are to believe, that we may acceptably perform the Obedience that in general they describe, we are yet to seek, and shall be so, for any information you are able to give us.

If in these vain loose expressions you design any thing else, it seems to be an opposition between reading and studying the Scriptures, or joyning with understanding in the prayers of the Church, the things under Consideration, and the getting of the power of the word of God to dwell in the heart; which is skilfully to oppose the means and the end, and those placed in that relation not only by their natural aptitude, but also by Gods express appointment and command. So wisely also do you oppose reading and doing in general; as though reading were not doing, and a part of that obedience which God requires at our hands, and a blessed means of helping and furthering us in the remainder of it. For certainly that we may do the will of God, it is required that we know it. And what better way there is to come to the knowledge of the will of God then by reading and me litating in and upon the word of Truth wherein he hath revealed it, with the advantage of the other means of his appointment for the same end in the publick preaching or proposition of it, I am not as yet informed. And I wish you had acquainted us with those two words of our Saviour, and that one of the Apostle, wherein they give us a Compendius of all Divine Truths. For if it be so, I am perswaded