Part 1 (1/2)

The Protestants Plea for a Socinian.

by Abraham Woodhead.

THE First Conference.

The _Socinian's_ Protestant-Plea for his not holding any thing contrary to the _Holy Scriptures_.

1. _That he believes all contained in the Scriptures to be G.o.d's Word; and therefore implicitly believes those truths, against which he errs._ --. 2.

2. _That also he useth his best endeavor to find the true sense of Scriptures: and, that more is not required of him from G.o.d for his Faith or Salvation, than doing his best endeavour for attaining it._ --. 3.

3. _That, as for an explicite Faith required of some points necessary, he is sufficiently a.s.sured, that this point concerning the Son's Consubstantiality with the Father, as to the affirmative, is not so from the Protestant's affirming all necessaries to be clear in Scripture, even to the unlearned; which this, in the affirmative, is not to him._ --. 4.

4. _That several express, and plain Scriptures do perswade him, that the negative (if either) is necessary to be believed; and that from the clearness of Scriptures, he hath as much certainty in this point, as Protestants can have from them in some other, held against the common expressions of the former times of the Church._ --. 6, 8.

5. _That, for the right understanding of Scriptures, either he may be certain of a just industry used; or else, that Protestants, in a.s.serting that the Scriptures are plain only to the industrious; and then, that none are certain, when they have used a just industry, thus must still remain also uncertain in their Faith; as not knowing, whether some defect in this their industry causeth them not to mistake the Scriptures._

6. _Lastly; That none have used more diligence in the search of Scripture, than the_ Socinians, _as appears by their Writings, addicting themselves wholly to this Word of G.o.d, and not suffering themselves to be any way bypa.s.s'd by any other humane, either modern, or ancient Authority._ --. 9.

--. 1.

To shew the invalidity of such a Guide as Protestants have framed to themselves for preserving the true Faith, and suppressing Heresies, hath for several years been the Subject of divers Modern Pens: But, because Instances and Examples, seem to some, more weighty and convincing, it is thought fit (the more to awaken, and the better to satisfie him) here to let the Reader see what Apology a _Socinian_ (who tho' denying the Trinity, and our Saviors Deity, yet, most zealously urges Scripture, and its plainness in all necessaries, as if it justified his own Errors; or that he Erred only in matters not necessary) upon the Protestant Principles may return for himself to a Protestant endeavouring to reduce him to the true Faith and the _Nicene_ Creed; and using any of these five Motives thereto, _viz._ The Testimony of 1. Scripture. 2. Catholic-Church-Authority. 3.

Councils, with the Danger and Guilt of 4. Heresie, and 5. Schism. Not intending hereby to equal all Protestant Opinions with the _Socinian_; but inferring that these Pleas as relating to these Motives will as rationally justifie the _Socinian_ as the Protestant.

For, suppose a Protestant, first, concerning the _Scriptures_, question a _Socinian_ in this manner.

_Prot._ Why do you, to the great danger of your soul, and salvation, not believe, _G.o.d the Son to be of one, and the same essence, and substance with G.o.d the Father_, it being so princ.i.p.al an Article of the _Christian_ Faith, delivered in the _Holy Scriptures_?

_Soc._ To give you a satisfactory account of this matter. I do believe, with other Christians, that the Scriptures are the Word of G.o.d; and, with other Protestants, that they are a perfect _Rule_ of my faith.

--. 2.

_Prot._ But, this secures you not, unless you believe according to this _Rule_; which in this point, you do not.

_Soc._ However I believe in this point; truly, or falsly; I am secure that my Faith is entire, as to all _necessary_ points of Faith.

_Prot._ How so?

_Soc._ Because, as M. _Chillingworth_ saith[1]--_He that believes all that is in the_ Bible, _all that is in the_ Scriptures (_as I do_) _believes all that is_ necessary _there_.

_Prot._ This must needs be true: but mean while, if there be either some part of Scripture not known at all by you; or the true sense of some part of that you know (for, _the Scripture_, as that Author notes[2], _is not so much the words, as the sense_) be mistaken by you, how can you say, you believe all the Scriptures? For, when you say, you believe all the Scripture, you mean only this: that you believe, that, whatsoever is the _true sense_ thereof, that is _G.o.d's Word_; and most certainly true: which belief of yours doth very well consist with your not believing, or also your believing the contrary to the _true sense_ thereof: and then you, not believing the true sense of some part of it at least, may also not believe the true sense of something _necessary_ there; which is quite contrary to your conclusion here.

--. 3.

_Soc._ [3]----_I believe, that that sense of them which G.o.d intendeth whatsoever it is, is certainly true; And thus I believe implicitely even those very truths, against which I err._ Next: [4]----_I do my_ best endeavour _to believe Scripture in the true sense thereof. By my best endeavour I mean_[5], _such a measure of industry, as humane prudence, and ordinary discretion_ (_my abilities, and opportunities, my distractions, and hindrances, and all other things considered_) _shall advise me unto in a matter of such consequence._ Of _using_ which _endeavour_ also, I conceive, I may be sufficiently certain: [for otherwise, I can have no certainty of any thing I believe from this compleat Rule of Scriptures; this due endeavor being the condition, which Protestants require, that I shall not be, as to all necessaries, deceived in the sense of Scripture.] Now, being conscious to my self of such a right endeavor used: [6]----_For me, to believe, further, this or that to be the true sense of some Scriptures; or to believe the true sense of them, and to avoid the false, is not necessary, either to my faith or salvation. For, if G.o.d would have had his meaning in these places certainly known, how could it stand with his wisdom, to be so wanting to his own will and end, as to speak obscurely? Or how can it consist with his justice to require of men to know certainly the meaning of those words which he himself hath not revealed?_ [7]----_For my error or ignorance in what is not plainly contained in Scripture, after my best endeavour used; to say that G.o.d will d.a.m.n me for such errors, who am a lover of him, and lover of truth, is to rob man of his comfort, and G.o.d of his goodness; is to make man desperate, and G.o.d a Tyrant._