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

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.

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 custome 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 pittied, 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.