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BERM.
XVI.]
A
RATIONAL DEFENCE
OF
Tilt
COSPEL.
283
they
agree.
The
chief and most
important
points
of
christianity are written with
so
much plainness and
evi-
deuce
in
the word
of God,
as would
lead all humble,
honest,
sincere and
diligent enquirers into a belief
of
them,
and consent
in
them..
Now
it
is
not
necessary
that
the lesser
matters of christianity
should
be
written
down
so
expressly
in
scripture
:
For 'the
all -wise
God
thought
it
proper
to
leave many
of
these articles
of
less
importance more dubious
and obscure, both to awaken
the diligence
of
men to study
his
word,
and to leave
amongst them
some occasions for the exercise
of
their
mutual
charity and
forbearance. Our
blessed
Lord has
thought it
proper
to
put
the universal
love which he
requires
amongst
his
followers,
to this
test or
trial, to
see
whether
they
will
cultivate peace and
charity
to
one
another
amidst their various
and divided
opinions in
things
of
less
concernment.
I
confess
there are
some differences
among
protestants
in
the great doctrines
of
the
Trinity,
and the satisfaction
of
Christ, which
must
be acknowledged to be
articles
of
very
high
moment
and
importance
in
christianity.
But
if
we
compare
those
few
who
profess
dangerous opinions
in these
points
with
the
millions
that
agree
in
the same
general profession
of
faith,
it
will
be
found
that
their
number
is
but
very
small.
If
we
consider the
great
ignorance
of
God,
which
is
found
in
all
men
by
nature,
and take
a
survey
of
the
unhappy
influences
that
educa-
tion,
fancy,
passion, pride, friendship, aversion,
precipi-
tance and
laziness,
have
upon mankind
in
forming
their
judgnent§
and
opinions,
we
shall
not
wonder
to find
some persons here and there
falling
into
strange senti-
ments,
contrary
to
the plain and
sufficient
evidence
of
scripture.
We
believe
in
general,
that
whoever puts off
all prejudices, and
is
piously sincere
in his
search
of
the
word
of God,
shall certainly
find,
through divine
assist-
ance, all
needful truth.
If
therefore
a
disbeliever
come
with
a
serious, humble,
'and
pious
mind, and
apply\him-
self
with diligence and
fervent prayer to read the scrip-
ture
;
I
am well
assured
he
will
become
a christian, and
find
out
so
much
of the doctrines
and duties of the
gos-
pel, as
are necessary to
his
eternal
happiness.
But
there
will
be heresies
arising sometimes in the
church.
Tares
will
grow up
sometimes in the
field
that
is
ever
io
well
cultivated and
sown with
corn
:
And what