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The Rationalists are like the spiders, they spin all out of theirown bowels. But give me a philosopher who, like the bee, hath amiddle faculty, gathering from abroad, but digesting that which isgathered by its own virtue.—Lord Bacon.
The Bible, I say the Bible only, is the religion of Protestants....There is no safe certaintie but of Scripture only, for anyconsidering man to build upon. This therefore, and this only I havereason to beleeve; this I will professe; according to this I willlive, and for this I will not only willingly, but even gladly loosemy life, though I should be sorry that Christians should take itfrom me. Propose me anything out of this book, and require whetherI believe it or no, and secure it never so incomprehensible tohumane reason, I will subscribe it hand and heart, as knowing nodemonstration can be stronger than this, God hath said so,therefore it is true. In other things I will take no man's libertieof judgment from him; neither shall any man take mine from me. Iwill think no man the worse man nor the worse Christian. I willlove no man the lesse for differing in opinion with me. And whatmeasure I meet to others I expect from them againe. I am fullyassured that God does not, and therefore that men out not torequire any more of any man, than this: to believe the Scripture tobe God's word, to endeavor to finde the true sense of it, and tolive according to it.—Chillingworth.
Are those enthusiasts who profess to follow reason? Yes,undoubtedly, if by reason they mean only conceits. Therefore suchpersons are now commonly called Reasonists or Rationalists todistinguish them from true reasoners or rational inquirers.—Waterland.
There were no prefatory remarks to the first and second editions of thefollowing work. It was thought, when the printer made his final call forcopy, that a preface might be written with more propriety if the publicshould indicate sufficient interest in the book to make its improvementand enlargement necessary. That interest, owing to the theme rather thanthe treatment, has not been withheld. The investigation of the subjectwas pursued in the midst of varied and pressing pastoral duties, wit