The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 17Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 17
Dryden, John
English literature
Then, as I said before, the kingdom of heaven is chiefly, if not only,
for the wise and learned of this world, though our Saviour was not of
this judgement. But is not every man to be satisfied _pro modulo suo_,
according to the measure of his own understanding? Can an ignorant
person enter into the knowledge of the mysteries of our faith, when
even the most learned cannot understand them? Can the answerer himself
unriddle the secrets of the incarnation, fathom the undivided Trinity,
or the consubstantiality of the Eternal Son, with all his readings and
examinations? From whence comes it then, that he believes them, since
neither the scripture is plain about them, nor the wit of man can
comprehend them? As for her comparing the doctrines of both churches,
no question she did it to the best of her ability; for if he will
believe her in any thing, she both read the scriptures, and conferred
with the most learned Protestants, before she had any discourses with a
Catholic priest. But if she had not, as he rudely says, the capacity of
judging in deep controversies, it is very probable she might want that
of understanding the instructions of her guides; for, if I may similize
in my turn, a dull fellow might ask the meaning of a problem in Euclid
from the bishop of Salisbury,[69] without being ever the better for his
learned solution of it. So then her capacity will break no squares, at
least from the doctrine of the English church, and the Presbyterians, put
them both together, as they now stand united; for, either the scriptures
are clear, and then a mean capacity will serve to understand them, or,
though they are never so obscure, yet the upshot of all is, that every
man is to interpret for himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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