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

3. And all these distempers that are but in a lower degree in the weak Christian, are predominant in the Hypocrite. The Church shall have no concord or peace if he can hinder it, but what is consistent with his carnal interest, his honour, or wealth, or dignity in the world. The pride and covetousness which rule himself, he would have to make the terms of concord, and to rule all others. It is Hypocrites in the Church that are the greatest cause of discord and divisions; having selfish spirits, principles and ends, and having always a work of their own to do, which suits not well with the work of Christ; and yet Christs work must be subjected to it, and ordered and overruled by it. And while they pretend to go to the Scriptures, or to Councils, or Fathers for their reasons, indeed they go first for them to their worldly interest; and then would fain hire or press the Scripture, Church or Fathers to serve their turn, and come in as witnesses on their side. And thus the Church, as well as Christ, is betrayed by the covetous Judas's of his own family: And the servants of the world, the flesh and Devil, that take up the livery of Christ, and usurp the name and honour of Christians, do more effectually hinder the ⟨p. 146⟩concord and prosperity of the Church, than any open enemies do. And those that are indeed no Christians, do cause Christianity to be reproached: Even as Spies and Traitors that are hired by the enemy to take up arms in the Army which they fight against, that they may betray it by their fraud, and do more harm to it, by raising mutinies, and by false conduct, than a multitude of professed enemies could have done. It is proud, and worldly carnal Hypocrites, that hinder most the concord of Believers.

3. And all these distempers that are but in a lower degree in the weak Christian, are predominant in the Hypocrite. The Church shall have no concord or peace if he can hinder it, but what is consistent with his carnal interest, his honour, or wealth, or dignity in the world. The pride and covetousness which rule himself, he would have to make the terms of concord, and to rule all others. It is Hypocrites in the Church that are the greatest cause of discord and divisions; having selfish spirits, principles and ends, and having alwaies a work of their own to do, which suits not well with the work of Christ; and yet Christs work must be subjected to it, and ordered and overruled by it. And while they pretend to go to the Scriptures, or to Councils, or Fathers for their reasons, indeed they go first for them to their worldly interest; and then would fain hire or press the Scripture, Church or Fathers to serve their turn, and come in as witnesses on their side. And thus the Church, as well as Christ, is betrayed by the covetous Judas's of his own family: And the servants of the world, the flesh and Devil, that take up the livery of Christ, and usurp the name and honour of Christians, do more effectually hinder the