T. Have I not said, by the standard of the Bible.
W. Thou hast said well; but thou askest another standard, which is thy interpretation by thy reason.
T. Wouldst thou, then, have me lay aside my reason?
W. No; but I would have thee exercise it; and, when thou offerest thy Bible as the standard, not again offer thy interpretations as a substitute. Besides, thou hast offered a doctrine to thy friend, which is contrary to thy standard.
T. How so?
W. In that thou sayest, there is pleasure in sin. Hast not thou read in thy Bible, that the wicked are like the troubled sea, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; and that there is no peace to them? How sayest thou, then, that the Bible is the standard, and that there is pleasure in sin? How sayest thou, that the good of sin will curse the soul at the day of judgment, when thy Bible tells thee that there is no good in sin, for the way of the transgressor is hard? Thou wilt not say, we are enemies of the Bible, because we justify its sayings in opposition to thy interpretations.
T. Thou wilt not satisfy me, that the wicked are troubled as other men are.
W. Thou wilt not, then, be satisfied with thy standard?
T. Yes; but thou wilt take it altogether, and not in parts.
W. Take it as thou wilt, only take it as it is, without thy interpretation superadded.