A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

This Principle of Truth concerning the necessity of Mortification is retained in the Church of Rome; yea, she pretends highly unto it, above any other Christian Society. The Mortification of their Devotionists, is one of the principal Arguments which they plead to draw unwary Souls over unto their Superstition. Yet in the height of their pretences unto it, they have lost all experience of its nature with the power and efficacy of the Grace of Christs therein, and have therefore framed an Image of it unto themselves. For,

1. They place the eminency and height of it in a Monastical Life, and pretended Retirement from the World. But this may be, hath been, in all, or the most, without the least real work of Mortification in their Souls: For there is nothing required in the strictest Rules of these Monastic Votaries, but may be complied withal, without the least effectual Operation of the Holy Spirit in their minds, in the application of the virtue of the death of Christ unto them; Besides, the whole course of life which they commend under this name, is neither appointed in, nor approved by, the Gospel. And some of those who have been most renowned for their severities therein, were men of blood, promoting the cruel slaughter of multitudes of Christians upon the account of their profession of the Gospel, in whom there could be no one Evangelical Grace; for no Murderer hath eternal Life abiding in him.

1. They place the eminency and height of it in a Monastical Life, and pretended Retirement from the World. But this may be, hath been, in all, or the most, without the least real work of Mortification in their Souls: For there is nothing required in the strictest Rules of these Monastick Votaries, but may be complyed withal, without the least effectual Operation of the Holy Spirit in their minds, in the application of the vertue of the death of Christ unto them; Besides, the whole course of life which they commend under this name, is neither appointed in, nor approved by, the Gospel. And some of those who have been most renowned for their severities therein, were men of blood, promoting the cruel slaughter of multitudes of Christians upon the account of their profession of the Gospel, in whom there could be no one Evangelical Grace; for no Murderer hath eternal Life abiding in him.