Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

3. And the seeming Christians are here of different ways. One sort of them place almost all their Religion in Pharisaical observation of little, external, ceremonial matters; as their washings, and fastings, and tithings, and formalities, and the traditions of the Elders: Or in their several opinions, and ways, and parties, which they call, Being of the true Church:] As if their sect were all the Church: But living to God in faith and love, and in a Heavenly conversation, and worshipping him in spirit and truth, they are utterly unacquainted with. The other sort are truly void of these essential parts of Christianity, in the life and power, as well as the former: But yet being secretly resolved, to take up no more of Christianity than will consist with their worldly prosperity and ends, when any sin seemeth necessary to their preferment, or safety in the world, their way is to pretend their high esteem of greater matters, for the swallowing of such a sin as an inconsiderable thing: And then they extol those larger souls that live not upon circumstantials, but upon the great and common truths and duties, and pity those men of narrow principles ⟨p. 97⟩and spirits, who by unnecessary scrupulosity make sin of that which is no sin, and expose themselves to needless trouble. And they would make themselves and others believe that it is their excellency and wisdom, to be above such trifling scruples: And all is because, they never took God and Heaven for their All, and therefore are resolved never to lose all for the hopes of Heaven; and therefore to do that whatever it be, which their worldly interest shall require, and not to be of any religion that will undo them.

3. And the seeming Christians are here of different wayes. One sort of them place almost all their Religion in Pharisaical observation of little, external, ceremonial matters; as their washings, and fastings, and tythings, and formalities, and the traditions of the Elders: Or in their several opinions, and wayes, and parties, which they call, Being of the true Church:] As if their sect were all the Church: But living to God in faith and love, and in a Heavenly conversation, and worshipping him in spirit and truth, they are utterly unacquainted with. The other sort are truly void of these essential parts of Christianity, in the life and power, as well as the former: But yet being secretly resolved, to take up no more of Christianity than will consist with their worldly prosperity and ends, when any sin seemeth necessary to their preferment, or safety in the world, their way is to pretend their high esteem of greater matters, for the swallowing of such a sin as an inconsiderable thing: And then they extol those larger souls that live not upon circumstantials, but upon the great and common truths and duties, and pitty those men of narrow principles