Of the divine original, authority, self-evidencing light, and power of the Scriptures. With an…Of the divine originall, authority, self-evidencing light, and povver of the Scriptures. With an…

I thought at the Entrance of my discourse to have also insisted on some other ways, whereby Satan in these days assaults the sacred truth of the Word of God in its Authority, Purity, Integrity, or Perfection; especially in the Poor, Deluded, Fanatical souls amongst us, commonly called Quakers. For the instruction of the younger sort, against whose abominations I have subjoined the Theses in the Close of the other Treatises. But I am sensible how far already I have exceeded the bounds of a Preface unto so small Treatises as these ensuing; and therefore giving a brief account of my undertaking in this Cause of God and his Word, for the vindication of the Authority and Integrity of it, I shall put a Close to this discourse.

I thought at the Entrance of my discourse to have also insisted on some other wayes, whereby Satan in these daies assaults the sacred truth of the Word of God in its Authority, Purity, Integrity, or Perfection; especially in the Poor, Deluded, Fanaticall soules amongst us, commonly called Quakers. For the instruction of the younger sort, against whose abominations I have subjoyned the Theses in the Close of the other Treatises. But I am sensible how far already I have exceeded the bounds of a Preface unto so small Treatises as these ensuing; and therefore giving a briefe account of my undertaking in this Cause of God and his Word, for the vindication of the Authority and Integrity of it, I shall put a Close to this discourse.

It may be some of you have heard me professing my unwillingness to appear any more in the World this way. I have not in some things met with such pleasing Entertainment, as to encourage me unto it: where I have been for Peace, others have made themselves ready for war. Some of them, especially^* one of late, neither understanding me, nor the things that he writes about, but his mind for opposition was to be satisfied. This is the manner of not a few in their writings; they measure ⟨image 16⟩other men by their own ignorance, and what they know not themselves, they think is hid to others also; Hence when any thing presents its self new to their minds; as though they were the first that knew, what they then first know, and which they have only an obscure glimpse of, they rest not until they have published it to their praise. Such are the discourses of that person, partly trivial, partly obviated and rendered utterly useless to his purpose by that treatise, which he ventured weakly to oppose. I wish I could prevail with those, whose interest compels them to choose rather to be ignorant, then to be taught by me, to let my books alone. Another after two or three years consideration, in answer to a book of near 140 sheets of paper, returns a scoffing reply to so much of it,