O how far remov'd,
Predestination! is thy foot from such
As see not the First Cause entire: read more

O how far remov'd,
Predestination! is thy foot from such
As see not the First Cause entire: and ye,
O mortal men! be wary how ye judge:
For we, who see the Maker, know not yet
The number of the chosen; and esteem
Such scantiness of knowledge our delight:
For all good is, in that primal good,
Concentrate; and God's will and ours are one.

And after hearing what our Church can say,
If still our reason runs another way,
That private read more

And after hearing what our Church can say,
If still our reason runs another way,
That private reason 'tis more just to curb,
Than by disputes the public peace disturb;
For points obscure are of small use to learn,
But common quiet is mankind's concern.

The (Christian) "doctrines" are translations into our concepts and ideas of that which God has already expressed in language more read more

The (Christian) "doctrines" are translations into our concepts and ideas of that which God has already expressed in language more adequate, namely the actual incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection

My doctrine is not a doctrine but just a vision. I have not given you any set rules, I have read more

My doctrine is not a doctrine but just a vision. I have not given you any set rules, I have not given you a system.

A doctrine capable of being stated only in obscure and involved terms is open to reasonable suspicion of being either read more

A doctrine capable of being stated only in obscure and involved terms is open to reasonable suspicion of being either crude or erroneous

The main doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God

The main doctrine of a fanatic's creed is that his enemies are the enemies of God

Doctrine is nothing but the skin of truth set up and stuffed.

Doctrine is nothing but the skin of truth set up and stuffed.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, read more

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself in love.

I think a man's duty is to find out where the truth is, or if he cannot, at least to read more

I think a man's duty is to find out where the truth is, or if he cannot, at least to take the best possible human doctrine and the hardest to disprove, and to ride on this like a raft over the waters of life