Question 4

Might not this revelation be imposed upon us by evil spirits?

No. For if Satan be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand,^b

Might it not be intruded upon us by wicked and designing men?

No. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles,^c

Might it not be the fruit of pious craft in good men?

No. I say the truth in Christ, I He not,^d

Were they moved to write what they spoke?

Yes. The Lord said, write the vision, make it plain upon the tables,^f

Does God own what men have thus written as his?

Yes. I have written to him the great things of my law,^g

Were the writings of the Old Testament inspired?

Yes. For the prophecy came not of old times by the will of man,^h

And may the same be affirmed of those of the New?

Yes. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God sent by his angel to his servantⁱ

But might they not be deceived?

No. We have not followed cunningly devised fables,^k

Did they write what they knew?

Yes. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you,^l

And what others who were their contemporaries knew?

Yes. For this thing was not done in a corner,^m

Did they take any undue methods to gain credit?

No. My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,ⁿ

Had they no secular aims?

No. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,^o

Did the gospel gain early credit?

Yes. Their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world,^q

Have many confirmed and sealed it with their blood?

Yes. They were slain for the word of God,^r

And hath it a witness in the heart of every true christian?

Yes. For he that believeth hath the witness in himself,^s

Do we need such a rule?

Yes. For we all like sheep have gone astray,^u

Is the word of God a sufficient rule?

Yes. The law of the Lord is perfect,^v

Is it a plain rule?

Yes. The words of his mouth are all plain to him that understandeth,^w

Is it an extensive rule?

Yes. The commandment is exceeding broad,^x

Is it an abiding rule?

Yes. The word of the Lord endureth for ever,^y

And is it the only rule?

Yes. For if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plague written in this book,^z

Is the authority of the church a rule?

No. For our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,^bb

Are the sentiments of great men a rule?

No. The prophet and the priest have erred,^cc

Is the light of nature a sufficient rule?

No. For it is said of those that were guided by it, the way of peace they have not known,^dd

Is the light within a certain rule?

No. The way of man is not in himself,^ee

Are not the examples of many a rule?

No. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil,^ff

Are not the examples of the good a sufficient rule?

No. We must be followers of them only as they are of Christ,^gg

May not what angels say be depended upon as a certain rule?

No. Though an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you, let him be accursed,^hh

Or a voice from heaven?

No. For we have a more sure word of prophecy,ⁱⁱ

Should we readily receive and embrace them?

Yes. They received the word with all readiness of mind,^kk

And should we make them our rule?

Yes. Let us walk by the same rule,^ll