This whole pretence has been already cut up by the roots! It having been shewn at large, that every branch of this doctrine, is the plain doctrine of scripture, interpreted by our own church. Therefore it cannot be either _false_ or _erroneous_, provided the scripture be true. Neither can it be _enthusiastick_, unless the same epithet belongs to our articles, homilies and liturgy. Nor yet can these doctrines be termed _new_, no newer, at least, then the reign of queen _Elizabeth_; not even with regard to the _way_ of _expression_, or the manner wherein they are proposed. And as to the substance, they are more antient still; as antient not only as the gospel, as the times of _Isaiah_, or _David_, or _Moses_, but as the first revelation of God to man. If therefore they were _unheard_ of till of late, in any that is termed a Christian country, the greater guilt is on those, who as ambassadors of Christ, ought to publish them day by day.
_Fanaticism_, if it means any thing at all, means the same with _Enthusiasm_, or religious madness, from which (as was observed before) _these doctrines_ are distant as far as the east from the west. However, it is a _convenient_ word to be thrown out, upon any thing we do not like; because scarce one reader in a thousand, has any idea of what ♦it means. If any part of this doctrine is held by the _Quakers_, there is the more reason to rejoice. I would to God they held it all: though the doctrine itself, would be neither better nor worse for this.
♦ “is” replaced with “it”
_Popery_ in the mouth of many men means just nothing: or at most, “Something very horrid and bad.” But _Popery_, properly speaking, is _The distinguishing doctrines_ of the church of _Rome_. They are summed up in the _twelve articles_ which the council of _Trent_ added to the _Nicene_ creed. Now who can find the least connexion between any of these, and the doctrines whereof we are speaking?
2. Others alledge, “Their doctrine is too strict. They make the way to heaven too narrow.” And this is in truth the original objection, (as it was almost the only one for some time) and is secretly at the bottom of a thousand more, which appear in various forms. But do they make the way to heaven any narrower, than our Lord and his apostles made it? Is their doctrine stricter than that of the bible? Consider only a few plain texts. _Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength.――For every idle word which men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment.――――Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God._ If their doctrine is stricter than this, they are to blame. But you know in your conscience, it is not. And who can be one jot less strict, without _corrupting the word of God_? Can any steward of the mysteries of God be found faithful, if he change any part of that sacred depositum? No. He can abate nothing, he can soften nothing. He is constrained to declare to all men, “I may not _bring down_ the scripture to your taste. You must _come up_ to it, or perish for ever.”
3. This is the real ground of that other popular cry, concerning “the uncharitableness of these men.” Uncharitable are they? In what respect? Do they not feed the hungry and clothe the naked? No, that is not the thing. They are not wanting in this. But they are so _uncharitable_ in judging! They think none can be saved, but those of their own way. They damn all the world beside themselves.
* What do you mean? “They think none can be saved, but those of their own way.” Most surely they do. For as there is but _one heaven_, so there is but _one way_ to it; even the way of _faith_ in Christ, (for we speak not of _opinions_, or outward _modes_ of _worship_) the way of _love_ to God and man, _the highway of holiness_. And is it uncharitable, to think or say, That none can be saved, but those who walk in this way? Was he then uncharitable, who declared, _He that believeth not shall be damned_? Or he that said, _Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord_? And again; Though _I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned_, yet, _if I have not_ (ἀγάπην) _charity, love_, all this profiteth me nothing.”