The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

Many of these Assertions are pernicious errors; most of them false; and the best of them are the unnecessary inventions of mens dark, yet busy wits, who condemn their own Doctrine by their practice, and their practice by their Doctrine; whilst they cry up the sufficiency of the Scriptures, and cry down other mens additions, and yet so largely add themselves.

Many of these Assertions are pernicious errours; most of them false; and the best of them are the unnec•ssary inventions of mens dark, yet busie wits, who condemn their own Doctrine by their practice, and their practice by their Doctrine; whilst they cry up the sufficiency of the Scriptures, and cry down other mens additions, and yet so largely add themselves.

Direct. 10. Take heed lest parties and contendings tempt you to lay so much upon the right notion or doctrines of Faith, as to take up with these alone as true Christianity; and to take a dead Opinion, instead of the life of Faith.

This dogmatical Christianity cheateth many thousands into Hell, who would scarce be led so quietly thither, if they knew that they are indeed no Christians. It is ordinary, by the advantages of education, and converse, and teachers, and ⟨p. 160⟩books, and studies, and the custom of the times, and the countenance of Christian Rulers, and for reputation, and worldly advantage, &c. to fall into right opinions about Christ, and Faith, and Godliness, and Heaven; and tenaciously to defend these in disputings; and perhaps to make a trade of preaching of it: And what is all this to the saving of the soul, if there be no more? And yet the case of many Learned Orthodox men, is greatly to be pitied, who make that a means to cheat and undo themselves, which should be the only wisdom and way to life; and know but little more of Christianity, than to hold, and defend, and teach sound Doctrine, and to practise it so far as the interest of the flesh will give them leave; I had almost said, so far as the flesh it self will command them to do well, and sin it self forbiddeth sin; that it may not disgrace them in the world, nor bring some hurt or punishment upon them.