Prove all things
That are said by the prophets, all the doctrines which they
deliver; hear them, though they have not the gift of tongues, and
all desirable advantages; do not reject them on that account, and
refuse to hear them, for so, many useful men may be laid aside,
and the Spirit of God in them be quenched; try their gifts, and
attend to their doctrines, yet do not implicitly believe
everything they say, but examine them according to the word of
God the test and standard of truth; search the Scriptures,
whether the things they say are true or not. Not openly erroneous
persons, and known heretics, are to be heard and attended on, but
the ministers of the word, or such who are said to have a gift of
prophesying; these should make use of it, and the church should
try and judge their gift, and accordingly encourage or
discourage; and also their doctrines, and if false reject them,
and if true receive them.
Hold fast that which is good;
honest, pleasant, profitable, and agreeable to sound doctrine, to
the analogy of faith, and the Scriptures of truth, and is useful
and edifying, instructive both as to principle and practice; such
should be held fast, that no man take it away; and be retained,
though a majority may be against it, for the multitude is not
always on the side of truth; and though it may be rejected by men
of learning and wealth, as Christ and his doctrines were rejected
by the Scribes and Pharisees, and rulers of the people; and
though it may be reproached as a novel, upstart notion, or a
licentious one, since these were charges against the doctrine of
Christ, and his apostles; and though it may be attended with
affliction and persecution, yet none of these things should move
from it, or cause to let it go.