Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

IV. The reigning unbelief that is among the generality of Men, even among those who are of greatest reputation for Wisdom and Learning; Ay, and among those who carry the vogue for Zeal and Religion, are counted the Head and Pillars of the Church: Some pretending to Infallibility, others set up themselves and are cried up by many, as such competent Judges in all matters of Faith, that their judgment is not to be questioned, but readily complied with by all who would not be counted singular and Schismatical. So 'twas in our Saviours time, the Jews who had been the only Professors of the true Religion for many ages, in opposition to all Idolatry and false Worship, they stumble at the Gospel: the Greeks who were the more Learned sort of the Heathen World, they counted it foolishness. And thus was the whole World set against Christ, here was the greatest outward hinderance of the belief of the Gospel that could be imagined; and add to this the indefatigable pains and industry of the Devil to keep out the light of the Gospel from shining in upon us; he blinds the Eyes of Men by a cursed influence upon their corrupt minds, that they should not believe: Is it not a hard matter under all these discouragements to embrace the Gospel, and declare our belief of it? Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who know not the Law, John 7.48, 49. Why should any regard what a company of poor illiterate people do? Their following Christ is rather an argument why we should not follow him, they are all but fools and idiots that do so; A cursed sort of people. This is the judgement the Men of the World have of believers. There is nothing among too many self-conceited Sceptics lies under a greater imputation of folly and madness, than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: O what a pass are things come too, that after so many hundred years profession of Christianity, we should grow weary of Christ and the Gospel!

IV. The reigning unbelief that is among the generality of Men, even among those who are of greatest reputation for Wisdom and Learning; Ay, and among those who carry the vogue for Zeal and Religion, are counted the Head and Pillars of the Church: Some pretending to Infallibility, others set up themselves and are cryed up by many, as such competent Judges in all matters of Faith, that their judgment is not to be questioned, but readily complied with by all who would not be counted singular and Schismatical. So 'twas in our Saviours time, the Jews who had been the only Professors of the true Religion for many ages, in opposition to all Idolatry and false Worship, they stumble at the Gospel: the Greeks who were the more Learned sort of the Heathen World, they counted it foolishness. And thus was the whole World set against Christ, here was the greatest outward hinderance of the belief of the Gospel that could be imagined; and add to this the indefatigable pains and industry of the Devil to keep out the light of the Gospel from shining in upon us; he blinds the Eyes of Men by a cursed influence upon their corrupt minds, that they should not believe: Is it not a hard matter under all these discouragements to embrace the Gospel, and declare our belief of it? Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who know not the Law,