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

§. IV.

The Sum then of what is said amounts to this, That where the true Inward Knowledge of God is, through the Revelation of his Spirit, there is all; neither is there an absolute Necessity of any other. But where the best, highest, and most profound Knowledge is, without this there is nothing, as to the obtaining the great End of Salvation. This Truth is very effectually confirmed by the first Part of the Proposition itself, which in few Words comprehendeth divers unquestionable Arguments, which I shall in brief subsume.

I.First, That there is no Knowledge of the Father but by the Son.

II.Secondly, That there is no Knowledge of the Son, but by the Spirit.

III.Thirdly, That by the Spirit God hath always revealed himself to his Children.

IV.Fourthly, That these Revelations were the formal Object of the Saints’ Faith.

V.And Lastly, That the same continueth to be the Object of the Saints’ Faith to this Day.

Of each of these I shall speak a little particularly, and then proceed to the latter Part.