I answer,1 It is to be avoided as it is a sin that much dishonours God and the profession of godliness:2 It is a shameful offence in any that would seem to love the word; but more particularly the sins of deceit are a great impediment in hearing the word: For, first the guile of false opinions and strange doctrine is like a poison to the sincere milk of the word, and to be eschewed of all that follow the Truth. Eph. 4.14.15. He. 13.7 Secondly, a heart accustomed to deceit & subtlety, cannot be a plain and honest heart: and, without a plain, honest, and good heart, men can never ⟨p. 14⟩receive, with any fruitfulness, the seed of eternal life. Luke 8. Thirdly he that is false to men, will never be true to God, he that will lie to men, will lie to God: Also he that is not faithful with men, will compass God about with deceit, Hosh. 11.12. He will never be faithful in the true treasure, that is unjust in outward things. Tuke 16. Fourthly, it is a sin that God, in a special manner, hates, Psal. 5.7. Fifthly, the sins of deceit usually attend upon some Idol in the hearts of men, which hath such command over the deceitful person, that he cannot attend to the word of God, or not have leisure to practise it; he is so mastered by this particular corruption, Jerem. 9.
I answere,1 It is to be auoided as it is a sinne that much dishonors God and the profession of godlinesse:2 It is a shamefull offence in any that would seeme to loue the word; but more particularly the sinnes of deceite are a great impediment in hearing the word: For, first the guile of false opinions and strange doctrine is like a poison to the sincere milk of the word, and to be eschewed of all that follow the Truth. Eph. 4.14.15. He. 13.7 Secondly, a heart accustomd to deceit & subtlety, cannot be a plaine and honest heart: and, without a plaine, honest, and good heart, men can neuer ⟨p. 14⟩receiue, with any fruitfulnesse, the seede of eternall life. Luke 8. Thirdly hee that is false to men, will neuer be true to God, he that will lie to men, will lie to God: Also hee that is not faithfull with men, will compasse God about with deceit, Hosh. 11.12. He will neuer be faithfull in the true treasure, that is vniust in outward things. Tuke 16. Fourthly, it is a sinne that God, in a speciall manner, hates, Psal. 5.7. Fiftly, the sinnes of deceit vsually attend vpon some Idoll in the hearts of men, which hath such command ouer the deceitfull person, that hee cannot attend to the word of God, or not haue leasure to practise it; he is so mastered by this particular corruptition, Ierem. 9.
- 1Sol.
- 2Why Guile is to be avoided.Why Guile is to be auoided.
