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.