A95413:107
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is…
The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Twice D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more public edification.The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification.
London: printed for Thomas Matthews, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Discourse. But perhaps God hath not granted them his Spirit and his ⟨p. 65⟩grace. I answer, God being sought unto and solicited to by prayers, denies to no man his Grace and Spirit of Truth. Now men of other Religions crave of God the enlightening of their mind, and direction in a right way no less than our selves; nay as far as we can discern perhaps with a greater fervency and zeal, neither are we to think that they ask it out of hypocrisy, and with dissimulation, and that so they would mock God; therefore it is to be taken for granted that the Spirit is where the fruits of the Spirit are found, of which none ought to boast above others.
Discourse. But perhaps God hath not granted them his Spirit and his ⟨p. 65⟩grace. I answer, God being sought unto and solicited to by prayers, denies to no man his Grace and Spirit of Truth. Now men of other Religions crave of God the enlightning of their minde, and direction in a right way no less than our selves; nay as far as we can discern perhaps with a greater fervency and zeal, neither are we to think that they ask it out of hypocrisie, and with dissimulation, and that so they would mock God; therefore it is to be taken for granted that the Spirit is where the fruits of the Spirit are found, of which none ought to boast above others.
Nay more, the knowledge of understanding the Scriptures is a peculiar gift of the Spirit, which is granted no less to others than to us: It is true, indeed that he only understands the Scriptures which hath the Spirit that dictated them, and (as it is in worldly laws) no Doctors interpretation or deciding doth justify, till the Law-giver approve that deciding. Yet he that ⟨p. 66⟩boasteth of such approbation of the Spirit is bound to show it, unless he will be counted but an ordinary Doctor.