An Apology for the True Christian Divinity / Being an explanation and vindication of the principles and doctrines of the people called Quakers

by Robert Barclay

§. I.

We confess indeed there wants not a Majesty in the Style, a Coherence in the Parts, a good Scope in the Whole; but seeing these Things are not discerned by the natural, but only by the spiritual Man, it is the Spirit of God that must give us that Belief of the Scriptures which may satisfy our Consciences; therefore some of the Chief among Protestants, both in their particular Writings and publick Confessions, are forced to acknowledge this.

Calvin’s Testimony that the Scripture certainly is from the Spirit.Hence Calvin, though he saith he is able to prove that, if there be a God in Heaven, these Writings have proceeded from him, yet he concludes another Knowledge to be necessary. Instit. Lib. 1. Cap. 7. Sect. 4.

“But if (saith he) we respect the Consciences, that they be not daily molested with Doubts, and hesitate not at every Scruple, it is requisite that this Persuasion which we speak of be taken higher than human Reason, Judgment, or Conjecture; to wit, from the secret Testimony of the Spirit.” And again, “To those who ask, that we prove unto them, by Reason, that Moses and the Prophets were inspired of God to speak, I answer, That the Testimony of the Holy Spirit is more excellent than all Reason.” And again, “Let this remain a firm Truth, that he only whom the Holy Spirit hath persuaded, can repose himself on the Scripture with a true Certainty.” And lastly, “This then is a judgment which cannot be begotten but by an Heavenly Revelation, &c.”

The Confession of the French Churches.The same is also affirmed in the first publick Confession of the French Churches, published in the Year 1559. Art. 4. “We know these Books to be canonical, and the most certain Rule of our Faith, not so much by the common Accord and Consent of the Church, as by the Testimony and inward Persuasion of the Holy Spirit.”

Churches of Holland assert the same.Thus also in the 5th Article of the Confession of Faith, of the Churches of Holland, confirmed by the Synod of Dort. “We receive these Books only for holy and canonical,—not so much because the Church receives and approves them, as because the Spirit of God doth witness in our Hearts that they are of God.”

Westminster Confession the same.And lastly, The Divines, so called, at Westminster, who began to be afraid of, and guard against the Testimony of the Spirit, because they perceived a Dispensation beyond that which they were under beginning to dawn, and to eclipse them; yet could they not get by this, though they have laid it down neither so clearly, distinctly, nor honestly as they that went before. It is in these Words, Chap. 1. Sect. 5. “Nevertheless our full Persuasion and Assurance of the Infallible Truth thereof, is from the inward Work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our Hearts.”

By all which it appeareth how necessary it is to seek the Certainty of the Scriptures from the Spirit, and no where else. The infinite Janglings and endless Contests of those that seek their Authority elsewhere, do witness to the Truth hereof.

Apocrypha.[46]For the Ancients themselves, even of the first Centuries, were not agreed among themselves concerning them; while some of them rejected Books which we approve, and others of them approved those which some of us reject. It is not unknown to such as are in the least acquainted with Antiquity, what great Contests are concerning the Second Epistle of Peter, that of James, the Second and Third of John, and the Revelations, which many, even very ancient, deny to have been written by the beloved Disciple and Brother of James, but by another of that Name. What should then become of Christians, if they had not received that Spirit, and those spiritual Senses, by which they know how to discern the True from the False? It is the Privilege of Christ’s Sheep indeed that they hear his Voice, and refuse that of a Stranger; which Privilege being taken away, we are left a Prey to all Manner of Wolves.

[46]Conc. Laod. Can. 58. in Cod. Ec. 163. Conc. Laod. held in the Year 364. excluded from the Canon Eccl. the Wisdom of Solomon, Judith, Tobias, the Maccabees, which the Council of Carthage held in the Year 399. received.