The scriptures sufficiency to determine all matters of faith, made good against the Papist

Who so doubts whether it be possible to have any certainty of faith out of the holy Scriptures, I demand of him, whether he doubts of the possibility for a man to have any certain faith at all, or no; if he doubts whether this be possible, who seeth not that it is more fit this Question should be proposed in the first place, and upon the solution thereof, and not afore, to proceed to inquire by what this certainty may be had; if he doubts not but that this is possible, let him show us how or by what means he is assured hereof, as namely, whether by natural reason, or by the word of the Pope, or by the word of an Angel. And indeed if the Question were proposed indifferently and fairly with distinction, we should soon perceive how little cause there is to call this a Perplexed Question, or ⟨p. 16⟩a Doubtful case of Conscience, though these forms savour of no learning, nor judgement; for the perplexity that is found in this Argument is not in the Question, if it be, it is the mere fault of the propounder exhibiting it in perplexed terms, the meaning whereof cannot be easily unfolded; but rather in finding out the truth thereof, and that is only in case the reasons be of equal moment on both sides, wherewith the truth is encumbered; so that the light and convincing evidence thereof cannot easily break forth and appear. Then as for a case of Conscience that is a very alien notion, and ill applied in this place: for cases of Conscience are only touching what we ought to do in a certain case; but this is only touching possibility of assurance, as, Whether we can have any certain faith by the holy Scriptures. But let us proceed distinctly, And

Who so doubts whether it be possible to have any certainty of faith out of the holy Scriptures, I demand of him, whether he doubts of the possibility for a man to have any certain faith at all, or no; if he doubts whether this be possible, who seeth not that it is more fit this Question should be proposed in the first place, and upon the solution thereof, and not afore, to proceed to inquire by what this certainty may be had; if he doubts not but that this is possible, let him shew us how or by what means he is assured hereof, as namely, whether by naturall reason, or by the word of the Pope, or by the word of an Angell. And indeed if the Question were proposed indifferently and fairly with distinction, we should soon perceive how little cause there is to call this a Perplexed Question, or ⟨p. 16⟩