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AGaine, the same question might have rissen betwixt the aforesaid Apostles, and the Bereans, yea doubtlesse the A∣postles might rather have blamed the Bereans, (for not confiding in their judgements) then the Presbiterian Sinod, the Indepen∣dants,
for the Apostles were assured of the Spirit of God to di∣rect* 1.1 them (in their expositions of the Scripture) and yet they were so farre from envying the Bereans, (for not presently com∣plying with their Doctrines, untill they had compared them with the Scriptures) as that they applauded them for it. Again, of the two, one would have thought, the Bereans should have groun∣ded upon the Apostles judgement, then their owne, but we see that such a christian liberty was given them (by the Apostles) as that they were not constrained to beleeve; they rather desiring, to leave the issue of their Doctrine, to the opperation of the Spirit of God, by which they might be guided in the truth, which (be∣ing but one) would make their judgements one, as it did at length.
So in like manner, ought the Spirit of God to have its oppera∣tion, betwixt Teachers, and Hearers; and not because men will not immediately comply with mens Doctrines, to raile upon them, and call them Schismaticks, Hereticks, Independants, &c. when as indeed, if the Raylors themselves, would act the Bereans part, they would not long continue in their owne present judgements, in many things.
The Bereans commended by the Apostles for compa••••••g their Doctrin with the Scripture.