Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

And as it was from the beginning, so it is now, and so will it be, 'till the World have an end, until the Church of God be presented to Jesus Christ, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: And the Causes hereof are evident.

1. Our general Imperfection in this Life: As the best men are imperfect in their Holiness, so are they in their Knowledge, there will be Defects in our Understanding, as well as in our Will: Some are Babes in Knowledge, others are strong Men; some have need of Milk, being unskilful in the Word of righteousness; others are of fuller Age, and have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. Foolish men are ready to burden the Scriptures in Vulgar Tongues with the Differences that are found in Religion; but therein they blaspheme the Holy Ghost, for the Word of God is a clear Light; the Cause of Mistakes is the weakness and blindness of our Eye-sight, whereby we cannot all with equal clearness see into the meaning of it, by reason of this our Imperfection: So that it is scarce possible to prevent all Diversity of Opinions in Religion, unless every pious Man had a Promise of Infallibility annexed to his Piety.

1. Our general Imperfection in this Life: As the best men are imperperfect in their Holiness, so are they in their Knowledge, there will be Defects in our Ʋnderstanding, as well as in our Will: Some are Babes in Knowledge, others are strong Men; some have need of Milk, being unskilful in the Word of righteousness; others are of fuller Age, and have their senses exercis'd to discern both good and evil, Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. Foolish men are ready to burthen the Scriptures in Vulgar Tongues with the Differences that are found in Religion; but therein they blaspheme the Holy Ghost, for the Word of God is a clear Light; the Cause of Mistakes is the weakness and blindness of our Eye-sight, whereby we cannot all with equal clearness see into the meaning of it, by reason of this our Imperfection: So that it is scarce possible to prevent all Diversity of Opinions in Religion, unless every pious Man had a Promise of Infallibility annexed to his Piety.