THE THIRD PROPOSITION
Concerning the Scriptures:
From
these revelations of the Spirit of God to the saints, have proceeded the
Scriptures of Truth, which contain, 1. A faithful historical account of the
actings of God's people in divers ages, with many singular and remarkable
providences attending them. 2. A prophetical account of several things, whereof
some are already past, and some yet to come. 3. A full and ample account of all
the chief principles of the doctrine of Christ, held forth in divers precious
declarations, exhortations, and sentences, which, by the moving of God's
spirit, were at several times, and upon sundry occasions, spoken and written
unto some churches and their pastors; nevertheless, because they are only a
declaration of the fountain, and not the fountain itself, therefore they are
not to be esteemed the principal ground of all Truth and knowledge, nor yet the
"adequate primary rule of faith and manners." Nevertheless, as that
which giveth a true and faithful testimony of the first foundation, they are
and may be esteemed a secondary rule, subordinate to the Spirit, from which
they have all their excellency and certainty; for as by the inward testimony of
the Spirit we do alone truly know them, so they testify, that the Spirit is
that guide by which the saints are led into all Truth c:
therefore, according to the Scriptures, the Spirit is the first and principal
leader. And seeing we do therefore receive and believe the Scriptures, because
they proceeded from the Spirit; therefore also the Spirit is more originally
and principally the rule, according to that received maxim in the schools,
Propter quod unumquodque est tale, illud ipsum est magis tale. Englished thus:
"That for which a thing is such, that thing itself is more such."
Let’s break down the Third Proposition from Barclay’s
Apology, which addresses the role of the Scriptures. This builds on the
previous propositions by explaining how the Bible fits into the Quaker
understanding of revelation and knowledge of God. Here’s a clear explanation:
Text Breakdown:
"From these revelations of the Spirit of God to the
saints, have proceeded the Scriptures of Truth": Barclay starts by saying
the Bible itself comes from the Spirit’s revelations to holy people (saints)
throughout history. The Scriptures aren’t human inventions—they’re inspired by
God.
"Which contain…": He lists three key things the
Bible includes:
A historical account: Stories of God’s people across time,
with examples of God’s remarkable interventions (providence).
A prophetical account: Predictions about the future, some
fulfilled, some still to come.
A doctrinal account: Teachings of Christ, expressed through
declarations, exhortations, and writings to early churches, all prompted by the
Spirit.
"Nevertheless, because they are only a declaration of
the fountain, and not the fountain itself…": Here’s the big Quaker twist:
the Scriptures describe the source (the Spirit), but they aren’t the source
itself. So, they’re not the ultimate foundation of truth or the primary rule
for faith and behavior.
"They are and may be esteemed a secondary rule,
subordinate to the Spirit": The Bible has value and authority, but it’s
secondary to the Spirit. It’s worth and reliability come from the Spirit that
inspired it.
"For as by the inward testimony of the Spirit we do
alone truly know them…": We only understand and trust the Scriptures
because the Spirit confirms them inwardly. The Bible points back to the Spirit
as the true guide to all truth (referencing John 16:13).
"Therefore, according to the Scriptures, the Spirit is
the first and principal leader": Even the Bible itself, Barclay argues,
shows the Spirit as the primary authority.
"And seeing we do therefore receive and believe the
Scriptures, because they proceeded from the Spirit…": We accept the Bible
because it comes from the Spirit, making the Spirit the more fundamental rule.
"Propter quod unumquodque est tale…": Barclay ends
with a philosophical principle: “That which makes something what it is, is
itself more so.” Since the Spirit is what makes the Scriptures true and
authoritative, the Spirit is the higher authority.
Commentary:
Barclay is walking a tightrope here. He’s affirming the
value of the Scriptures—calling them “Scriptures of Truth” and a “faithful
testimony”—while insisting they’re not the ultimate authority. For Quakers, the
Spirit that inspired the Bible remains active and speaks directly to people
today, just as it did to the prophets and apostles. The Bible is a record of
that revelation, not the revelation itself.
This was a bold stance in the 17th century, when many
Christians (especially Protestants) saw the Bible as the sole and final rule of
faith. Barclay’s view doesn’t dismiss scripture but reframes it as a tool of
the Spirit, not a replacement for it. The Spirit is the “fountain,” living and
dynamic, while the Bible is a “declaration,” static and secondary. This
reflects the Quaker practice of relying on direct guidance from God in worship
and life, rather than leaning solely on written texts.
The Latin maxim at the end drives it home: if the Spirit is
the source of the Bible’s truth, then the Spirit is more true and
authoritative. It’s a logical argument aimed at his scholarly critics, showing
he’s not just relying on mystical claims but engaging their own reasoning.
Key Takeaway:
The Third Proposition positions the Scriptures as valuable but subordinate to the Spirit. They’re a secondary guide—trustworthy because they come from the Spirit—but the Spirit itself is the primary leader and rule for faith and practice.