The word soundeth so well that the Impropriety of it hath been the less observed. But as weighty as the word appeareth, no Feather hath been more blown about in the World than this word, Fundamental.
It is one of those Mistakes that at sometimes may be of use, but it is a Mistake still.
Fundamental is used as Men use their Friends; commend them when they have need of them, and when they fall out, find a hundred Objections to them.
Fundamental is a Pedestal that Men set every thing upon that they would not have broken. It is a Nail every body would use to fix that which is good for them: for all Men would have that Principle to be immoveable, that serves their use at the time.
Every thing that is created is Mortal, ergo all Fundamentals of human Creation will die.
A true Fundamental must be like the Foundation of a House; if it is undermined the whole House falleth.
The Fundamentals in Divinity have been changed in several Ages of the World.
They have made no difficulty in the several Councils, to destroy and excommunicate Men for asserting Things that at other Times were called Fundamentals.
Philosophy, Astronomy, &c. have changed their Fundamentals as the Men of Art no doubt called them at the time. Motion of the Earth, &c.
Even in Morality one may more properly say, There should be Fundamentals allowed, than that there are any which in Strictness can be maintained.