The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…

3. The impossibility of most mens giving assent with judgment to things controverted, difficult and obscure. Let men say what they list, 'tis not conviction that makes most men assent either way in the difficult controversies of Religion. Do most men, yea most Clergy men, give their assent in the controversies between Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants, out of conviction of Judgment? No: Those things are of such profound and deep Speculation, that very few men have either leisure, Books or Brains to fathom them, and make a judgment of them. The Controversy about the difference between Bishops and Presbyters, whether it be a difference in Order or in Degree, requires so much reading and skill in ancient Authors, Fathers and Councils, with the debates of Neotericks, that many men are not able with any settled judgment, to determine on the one side or the other. 'Tis true, that some of the Church have lately, with great confidence, without dispute, concluded a difference of Order between them, and we must now believe it with as much assurance as the Apostles Creed: yet I see no just reason to doubt, but that the Controversy will remain longer than our Establishment, & peradventure there may have been, and still are as great men, and as well skilled in ancient Learning, as the late and present Bishops, that are of the contrary persuasion. I might instance in many of their Controversies at this time, but this shall ⟨p. 46⟩suffice, for I am persuaded, that all men that have impartially studied, and thought of these matters, and made observation on the understandings of men, must acknowledge, that very few men of free judgments, can be brought to a full agreement in controverted and obscure points of Religion: And as fo the most consequently, that subscribe to what is imposed because they must, they do generally subscribe to things which Combien entiendan come puerca de freno, they are as well skilled in as a Sow in a Bridle, as says the Spaniard.

3. The impossibility of most mens giving assent with judgment to things controverted, difficult and obscure. Let men say what they list, 'tis not conviction that makes most men assent either way in the difficult controversies of Religion. Do most men, yea most Clergy men, give their assent in the controversies between Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants, out of conviction of Judgment? No: Those things are of such profound and deep Speculation, that very few men have either leisure, Books or Brains to fathom them, and make a judgment of them. The Controversie about the difference between Bishops and Prebyters, whether it be a difference in Order or in Degree, requires so much reading and skill in ancient Authors, Fathers and Councils, with the debates of Neotericks, that many men are not able with any settled judgment, to determine on the one side or the other. T'is true, that some of the Church have lately, with great confidence, without dispute, concluded a difference of Order between them, and we must now believe it with as much assurance as the Apostles Creed: yet I see no just reason to doubt, but that the Controversie will remain longer than our Establishment, & peradventure there may have been, and still are as great men, and as well skilled in ancient Learning, as the late and present Bishops, that are of the contrary persuasion. I might instance in many of their Controversies at this time, but this shall