Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

Answ. Yet, dear Sir, give not over this Trade; you will doubtless find it gainful, when it may be God hath laden you more with these thoughts, and made you loath your self for them. But the thing seems strange to me, if I mistake you not, viz, that your heart will not be persuaded, but that you must resolve your doubts concerning the Perfection of Scripture, not by seeking to harmonize those passages that seem to cross one another, but by ascribing some humanity or error, (if I may interpret you) to the penmen; seeing St. Paul saith, We Prophesy but in part, and seeing one of the Evangelists leaves out the doxology in the Lord's prayer.

Answ. Yet, dear Sir, give not over this Trade; you will doubtless find it gainful, when it may be God hath laden you more with these thoughts, and made you loath your self for them. But the thing seems strange to me, if I mistake you not, viz, that your heart will not be perswaded, but that you must resolve your doubts concerning the Perfection of Scripture, not by seeking to harmonize those passages that seem to cross one another, but by ascribing some humanity or error, (if I may interpret you) to the penmen; seeing St. Paul saith, We Prophesie but in part, and seeing one of the Evangelists leaves out the doxology in the Lord's prayer.

Sir, if you take these thoughts, arising from these and the like grounds, as your burden, I do not blame you, but pity you in that respect; but if your judgment indeed think so, I am sorry you should harbour such thoughts one hour within doors: for you know that holy men writ the Scriptures (but so far they might err, but it is added) as they were inspired, or as the Original has it, as they were moved or carried in the arms ⟨p. 47⟩of the Holy Ghost; and so how could they err? how could God lie? It is true, Paul did prophesy but in part; and is this an argument, because he did not prophesy fully, therefore in some things he did not prophesy truly? I am persuaded you will say, there are many things my poor thoughts have suggested to you, as true; and yet I am persuaded I do in them prophesy, if I may so say, but in part. The Spirit of God directed the four Evangelists to write; yet so, as they did not all write what another writ, but in great wisdom left some things doubtful and short in one, which are more clear and full in another: and hence the Doxology is fully set down in one, and not in another; and many reasons I could set you down why, but that is needless. I grant you ought not to put up all with a charitable opinion of Scripture; but if you can, by reason, reading, and comparing, help your heart to a full persuasion, this is Scripture: But many things you cannot get satisfaction for, by that way and means, but still your Spirit will be left dark and doubtful; What course will you here take for resolution, which is Scripture? The Papists say it is so, because the Church has christened it for Scripture; you say you will see reason for it that it is so, or else you cannot be satisfied; then I fear you will never be satisfied. I think, In this case therefore these two things you are to do.