And as ignorant Women and Empirics do kill oft times more then they Cure, though they have the best Receipts, for want of Judgment and experience to use them aright: so do ignorant Teachers and Guides by mens souls, though they can say the same words as a Judicious Pastor, and repeat the same Texts of Scripture. Not that I mean, that such can do no good: Yes, much no doubt, if they will humbly, compassionately and faithfully improve their Talents, within the verge of their own Calling: which if they go beyond, ordinarily a remarkable Judgment followeth their best labours; both to the Churches and particular souls that make use of them. And therefore because (if my conjectural prognostics fail not, as I daily pray they may) we are like to be more tried and plagued this way, then ever were any of our fore-fathers since Adams days till now, and seeing this is the hour of our Temptation, wherein God is purposely separating the chaff, and discovering ⟨p. 7⟩to the world, the dangers of injudicious misguided Zeal; I shall therefore both first and last advise you, as ever you would have a settled Peace of Conscience, keep out of the hand of vagrant and seducing Mountebanks, under what Names, or Titles, or pretences soever they may assault you. Especially suspect all that bestow as much pains to win you to their party, as to win you to Christ.
And as ignorant Women and Emprikes do kill oft times more then they Cure, though they have the best Receipts, for want of Judgment and experience to use them aright: so do ignorant Teachers and Guides by mens souls, though they can say the same words as a Judicious Pastor, and repeat the same Texts of Scripture. Not that I mean, that such can do no good: Yes, much no doubt, if they will humbly, compassionately and faithfully improve their Talents, within the verge of their own Calling: which if they go beyond, ordinarily a remarkable Judgment followeth their best labours; both to the Churches and particular souls that make use of them. And therefore because (if my conjectural prognisticks fail not, as I daily pray they may) we are like to be more tried and plagued this way, then ever were any of our fore-fathers since Adams dayes till now, and seeing this is the hour of our Temptation, wherein God is purposely separating the chaff, and discovering ⟨p. 7⟩to the world, the dangers of injudicious misguided Zeal; I shall therefore both first and last advise you, as ever you would have a setled Peace of Conscience, keep out of the hand of vagrant and seducing Mountebanks, under what Names, or Titles, or pretences soever they may assault you. Especially suspect all that bestow as much pains to win you to their party, as to win you to Christ.
