The Mystery of the Gospel Vindicated and Socinianism Examined, Commentary on text · Chapter 1
CAP. I.
M. B's first Chapter Examined. Of the Scriptures.
MR Biddle having imposed upon himselfe the task of insinuating his Abominations, §. 1.by applying the expresse words of Scripture, in way of Answer to his captious and Sophisticall Queries, was much straitned in the very entrance, in that he could not find any Text, or tittle in them that is capable of being wrested to give the least colour to those imperfections, which the residue of men, with whom he is in the whole Systeme of his doctrine in complyance and communion, do charge them withall. As that there are contradictions, in them, though in things of lesse aSocin: de Authorit. Sa. Scrip. cap. 1. Racov: An. 1611 p. 13. Socin: Lect. Sacr. p: 18. Episcep: disput: de Author: Script: thes: 3. Volkel: de vera Relig: lib: 5: cap: 5. p: 375 Socinus. autem videtur rectius de SS: opinari, Epist: ad Radec: 3 p: 140. Ego quidem sentio, nihil in Scriptis, quae communiter ab iis, qui Christiani sunt dicti, retepta, & pro divinis habita sunt, constanter legi, quod non sit verissimum: hoc{que} ad divinam Providentiam pertinere prorsus arbitror, ut ejusmodi scripta, nunquam depraventur aut corrumpantur, ne{que} ex toto, ne{que} ex par…e.importance: that many things are, or may be changed, and altered in them; that some of the bookes of the Old Testament are lost, & that those that remaine, are not of any necessity to Christians, although they may be read with profit; Their subjecting them also, and all their Assertions, to the last judgment of Reason, is of the same nature with the other. But it being not my purpose, to pursue his opinions, through all the secret windings and turnings of them, so to drive them to their proper issue, but only to discover the sophistry and falsenesse of those insinuations, which grosely and palpably overthrow the foundations of Christianity. I shall not force him to speake to any thing, beyond what he hath expresly delivered himselfe unto.
This first Chapter then, concerning the Scriptures, both in the greater and lesser Catechismes, without farther trouble, I shall §. 2.passe over; seeing that the stating of the Questions, and Answers in them, may be sound, and according to the Common Faith of the Saints, in those who partake not with M. B's companions, in their low thoughts of them, which here he doth professe. Only I dare not joyne with him, in his last assertion, that such and such passages, are the most affectionate in the Booke of God; seeing we know but in part, and are not enabled, nor warranted, to make such peremptory determinatons concerning the severall passages of Scripture, set in comparison, and competition for Affectionatenesse, by our selves.