2. It is apparent, that they do not promote, but obstruct the entertainment of the Gospel, who would obtrude on those, whom they persuade to embrace it, such things to be believed, or practised (as a part of their Religion) as are no where to be found in it, much more, if they be directly contrary to it. e. gr. The Gospel doth expressly determine, that God only is to be the Object of religious worship, Mat. iv. 10. How then, can they recommend the Gospel, who tell their Proselytes, that they may admit mere Creatures, to be sharers with God, in that worship which is appropriated to him? The Gospel saith, That there is but one Lord, Mediator between God, and Man, 1 Cor. viii. 6. 1 Tim. ii. 5. And yet, there are these, who pretend to win over men to the Gospel, who tell them, they must conjoin Angels, and departed Saints, with Christ in his Office, and Work of Mediator: The Gospel severely chargeth all those who believe it, to fly from Idolatry, 1 Cor. x. 14. 1 Joh. v. 21. which is the enforcement of the second Commandment [Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image, &c.] What then, can they whom they are to instruct, think of it, when they see them, in profound devotion, to creep to, fall down before, and worship Images? especially, when, upon that very account, it is notorious, that Jews, and Mahometans, abhor the Gospel upon a ⟨image 133⟩supposition, that the worship of Images, is either Taught, or allowed therein. If I may have leave to declare my apprehensions, I must say, That the Gospel propounded in its own Native purity, and simplicity, as our Lord Jesus Christ delivered it, and as they who were divinely inspired, have recorded it, without any Additional supplements, or foreign mixtures, is the most effectual way, that God hath appointed, and promised to bless, for the subduing of the world, to Jesus Christ. And I should beseech those who endeavour the Conversion of Heathens, to press nothing upon them (except the presupposed Light, and Law of Nature, right Reason, and Discipline, to cultivate, civilize, and prepare them) save the naked Truths, Ordinances, and Rules, of the Gospel, in all plainness, and simplicity. So much for the second Obstruction.
2. It is apparent, that they do not promote, but obstruct the entertainment of the Gospel, who would obtrude on those, whom they perswade to embrace it, such things to be believed, or practised (as a part of their Religion) as are no where to be found in it, much more, if they be directly contrary to it. e. gr. The Gospel doth expresly determine, that God only is to be the Object of religious worship, Mat. iv. 10. How then, can they recommend the Gospel, who tell their Proselites, that they may admit mere Creatures, to be sharers with God, in that worship which is appropriated to him? The Gospel saith, That there is but one Lord, Mediator between God, and Man, 1 Cor. viii. 6. 1 Tim. ii. 5. And yet, there are these, who pretend to win over men to the Gospel, who tell them, they must conjoin Angels, and departed Saints, with Christ in his Office, and Work of Mediator: The Gospel severely chargeth all those who believe it, to flie from Idolatry, 1 Cor. x. 14. 1 Joh. v. 21. which is the enforcement of the second Commandment [Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image, &c.] What then, can they whom they are to instruct, think of it, when they see them, in profound devotion, to creep to, fall down before, and worship Images? especially, when, upon that very account, it is notorious, that Jews, and Mahometans, abhor the Gospel upon a ⟨image 133⟩supposition, that the worship of Images, is either Taught, or allowed therein. If I may have leave to declare my apprehensions, I must say, That the Gospel propounded in its own Native purity, and simplicity, as our Lord Jesus Christ delivered it, and as they who were divinely inspired, have recorded it, without any Additional supplements, or forreign mixtures, is the most effectual way, that God hath appointed, and promised to bless, for the subduing of the world, to Jesus Christ. And I should beseech those who endeavour the Conversion of Heathens, to press nothing upon them (except the presupposed Light, and Law of Nature, right Reason, and Discipline, to cultivate, civilize, and prepare them) save the naked Truths, Ordinances, and Rules, of the Gospel, in all plainness, and simplicity. So much for the second Obstruction.
