by Robert Barclay

“ So that the Probation of a Sacrament at all, or of their being Two, Seven, yea, or Seventy, is all alike easie; seeing neither Name or Number is to be found in the Scripture, they being the meer Conceits and Inventions of Men; and yet it is marvellous to see with how great Confidence some Men do assert the Scripture to be their Rule, while they build up so considerable Parts of their Doctrine, without the least Scripture-Foundation. ”

“ God, who at sundry Times and in divers Manners, spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also he made the Worlds. ”

“ That these Proofs assert not the things expressly, we need not, I suppose, dispute. Now to say, that because Paul desired the Corinthians to lay somewhat by them in store that day; or because he broke Bread, and continued his Speech until Midnight; therefore the First Day of the Week is come in place of the Sabbath, is a Consequence more remarkable for its Sottishness, than to be credited for its Soundness: Indeed to make so solemn an Article of Faith, as these men would have the Morality of the First Day of the Week to be, would need a more positive and express Authority. ”

“ CHAP. XVIII. A Short Examination of some of the Scripture-Proofs, alledged by the Divines at Westminster, to prove divers Articles in their Confession of Faith and Catechism. It is not in the least my Design in this Chapter, to offer so large an Examination of any of their Articles, as might be done, nor yet of so many as are very obvious; but only of two or three, to give the Reader a Taste of them for Example's sake: whereby as ex ungue Leonem, he may judge of most of all the rest, if he will be at the pains narrowly to look over and examine them. ”

“ Surely; these Men have not herein followed the Rule of the Scriptures; but rather endeavoured most grossly to wrest them, and make of them a Nose of Wax, notwithstanding their Pretences as to the contrary in their 6th Sect. where they say, All things necessary are either expressly set down, or by good and necessary Consequences may be deduced: Now that these two former Assertions are not expressly set down, they will not deny; whether they follow by sound Consequence, any understanding Man may judge, by what is above observed. ”