An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 24. And no doubt but it is a pitiful sign and an odious Crime in a Minister of Christ, to say little to the People of the Mysteries of Man's Redemption, the Person, and Offices, and Works of Christ, the Covenant of Grace, and the special Blessings given by it, our Union with Christ, Justification, Adoption, and the special Works of the Spirit on Mens Souls, and all the Duties and Pleasures of a Heavenly Conversation, in the love of the Father, the Grace of the Son, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, and all this under pretence of magnifying and preaching up the Love of our Brethren, and Charity to the Poor, and Justice, and Temperance; as if Man were our God, and to wrong man were the only Sin, and to wrong God were none, or God could be no otherwaies wronged.

§. 24. And no doubt but it is a pitiful sign and an odious Crime in a Minister of Christ, to say little to the People of the Mysteries of Man's Redemption, the Person, and Offices, and Works of Christ, the Covenant of Grace, and the special Blessings given by it, our Union with Christ, Justification, Adoption, and the special Works of the Spirit on Mens Souls, and all the Duties and Pleasures of a Heavenly Conversation, in the love of the Father, the Grace of the Son, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, and all this under pretence of magnitying and preaching up the Love of our Brethren, and Charity to the Poor, and Iustice, and Temperance; as if Man were our God, and to wrong man were the only Sin, and to wrong God were none, or God could be no otherwaies wronged.

§. 25. But Covetousness and Pride contradicteth their own Doctrine: For among their good works those of Piety are first extolled; and those are the enriching of the Church, and that is themselves; and why them more than the poorer People about us? Because they are sacred persons, and belong to God, and serve at his Altars? Very good. And is Piety to a sacred person (and such as they) so great a Duty, and yet our Piety as immediately to God himself, an indifferent thing, in comparison of our Duty to Man? Yea, some usually make that part of their Piety which consisteth in the observance of their own Traditions and unnecessary Injunctions, to seem of great weight, while the holy observance of God's own Laws is perhaps accused as too much preciseness or hypocriss; when indeed the Hypocrite is he, that instead of the life and serious practice of true Christian-Holiness, sets up and resteth in the Image of Holiness, and certain formalities, that are lifeless, to deceive himself and others.