Therefore we ought to reject all Traditions, yea, even those by which we affirm the contrary, and, as we think, prove the Truth.
Lastly, In the[44] Council of Florence, the chief Doctors of the Romish and Greek Churches did debate whole Sessions long, concerning the Interpretation of one Sentence of the Council of Ephesus, and of Epiphanius, and Basilius, neither could they ever agree about it.
[44] Conc. Flor. Sess. 5. decreto quodam Conc. Eph. Act. 6. Sess. 11. & 12. Concil. Flor. Sess. 18, 20. Conc. Flor. Sess. 21. P. 480. & Seq.
2. Of Scripture.Secondly, As to the Scripture, the same Difficulty occurreth: The Lutherans affirm they believe Consubstantiation by the Scripture; which the Calvinists deny, as that which, they say, according to the same Scripture, is a gross Error. The Calvinists again affirm absolute Predestination, which the Arminians deny, affirming the contrary; wherein both affirm themselves to be ruled by the Scripture and Reason in the Matter. Should I argue thus then to the Calvinists?
Here the Lutherans and Arminians grossly err, by following the Scripture:
Therefore the Scripture is not a good nor certain Rule; and è contrario.
Would either of them accept of this Reasoning as good and sound? What shall I say of the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents, and Anabaptists of Great Britain, who are continually buffeting one another with the Scripture? To whom the same Argument might be alledged, though they do all unanimously acknowledge it to be the Rule.
3. Of Reason.And Thirdly, As to Reason, I shall not need to say much; for whence come all the Controversies, Contentions and Debates in the World, but because every Man thinks he follows right Reason? The Debates hence arising betwixt the old and late Philosophers.Hence of old, came the Jangles between the Stoicks, Platonists, Peripateticks, Pythagoreans, and Cynicks, as of late betwixt the Aristotelians, Cartesians, and other Naturalists: Can it be thence inferred, or will the Socinians, those great Reasoners, allow us to conclude, because many, and those very wise Men, have erred, by following, as they supposed, their Reason, and that with what Diligence, Care and Industry they could, to find out the Truth, that therefore no Man ought to make use of it at all, nor be positive in what he knows certainly to be Rational? And thus far as to Opinions; the same Uncertainty is no less incident unto those other Principles.