The Protestants Plea for a Socinian / Justifying His Doctrine from Being Opposite to Scripture or Church Authority; and Him from Being Guilty of Heresie, or Schism

by R. H.

	{	Where, The Protestant's, and Socinian's pretended
	{	Certainty of the sense of Scripture apprehended by them,
Digress.	{	and made the ground of their Faith against the sense of
	{	the same Scripture declared by the major part of the
	{	Church is examined. §. [9].

§. 1.

TO shew the invalidity of such a Guide as Protestants have framed to themselves for preserving the true Faith, and suppressing Heresies, hath for several years been the Subject of divers Modern Pens: But, because Instances and Examples, seem to some, more weighty and convincing, it is thought fit (the more to awaken, and the better to satisfie him) here to let the Reader see what Apology a Socinian (who tho' denying the Trinity, and our Saviors Deity, yet, most zealously urges Scripture, and its plainness in all necessaries, as if it justified his own Errors; or that he Erred only in matters not necessary) upon the Protestant Principles may return for himself to a Protestant endeavouring to reduce him to the true Faith and the Nicene Creed; and using any of these five Motives thereto, viz. The Testimony of 1. Scripture. 2. Catholic-Church-Authority. 3. Councils, with the Danger and Guilt of 4. Heresie, and 5. Schism. Not intending hereby to equal all Protestant Opinions with the Socinian; but inferring that these Pleas as relating to these Motives will as rationally justifie the Socinian as the Protestant.

For, suppose a Protestant, first, concerning the Scriptures, question a Socinian in this manner.

Prot. Why do you, to the great danger of your soul, and salvation, not believe, God the Son to be of one, and the same essence, and substance with God the Father, it being so principal an Article of the Christian Faith, delivered in the Holy Scriptures?

Soc. To give you a satisfactory account of this matter. I do believe, with other Christians, that the Scriptures are the Word of God; and, with other Protestants, that they are a perfect Rule of my faith.

[§. 2.]

Prot. But, this secures you not, unless you believe according to this Rule; which in this point, you do not.

Soc. However I believe in this point; truly, or falsly; I am secure that my Faith is entire, as to all necessary points of Faith.

Prot. How so?