Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

This 14th Chapter is a branch of some particular Duties of Love, and this Verse is the sum of this whole Chapter of Charity; which words are said to have occasioned the Conversion or Confirmation of Alipius, as the foregoing words were of Augustine's: Such is the Authority and Energy of the naked Word of God upon the Consciences of Men, in the day of Christs Power. And the naked Sword cuts better than when it is sheathed in a gaudy scabbard of the enticing words of Mans wisdom, 1 Cor. 2.4,

This 14th Chapter is a branch of some particular Duties of Love, and this Verse is the sum of this whole Chapter of Charity; which words are said to have occasioned the Conversion or Confirmation of Alipius, as the foregoing words were of Augustines: Such is the Autority and Energy of the naked Word of God upon the Consciences of Men, in the day of Christs Power. And the naked Sword cuts better than when it is sheathed in a gaudy scabbard of the inticing words of Mans wisdom, 1 Cor. 2.4,

The Apostles were frequently exercised with difficulties, how to compose the differences among Christians; the Jewish Converts were eager to bring their Circumcision, with their observation of times and meats, along with them into Christianity, Gal. 4.10. The Gentiles were not accustomed to these things, and therefore opposed them, yet were as ready to bring a Tang of their own old Errors with them also, as their Doctrine of Demons, 1 Tim. 4.1. and their worshipping of Angels, Col. 2.18. and probably some of their Heathenish Festivals and Customs: So that both parties were in an error, and neither of them fully understood that liberty Christ had brought to them from these beggarly Elements, Rudiments and Ordinances to which they were in bondage. For if God saw good to free his Church from those Ceremonies which were instituted by himself, he would never allow them to be in a slavish subjection to the Superstitions and Ceremonies of worldly Mens inventions, tho' never so Dogmatically and Magisterially imposed. For as Learned Davenant on that