I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

6. If you find that his great Work and Business is, to destroy the Churches of Christ; then he is not of God, but by this Fruit, you may know him to be a False Teacher: The Apostles went up and down confirming the Churches, not destroying them. But now says Luther, ¹After we have taken much pains, even for ten years together, to gather and settle a Church; then comes some Fanatic Person, and he destroys more in one moment, than we could build in ten years: But says the Apostle, Mark those which cause division, much more those that cause destruction, and avoid them.

6. If you find that his great Work and Business is, to destroy the Churches of Christ; then he is not of God, but by this Fruit, you may know him to be a False Teacher: The Apostles went up and down confirming the Churches, not destroying them. But now saies Luther, ¹After we have taken much pains, even for ten yeers together, to gather and settle a Church; then comes some Fanatick Person, and he destroies more in one moment, than we could build in ten yeers: But saies the Apostle, Mark those which cause division, much more those that cause destruction, and avoid them.

1. 1Decem Annis laboratur antequam Ecclesiola rectè et Piè instituta paratur, et ubi parata est, irrepit aliquis fanaticus et quidem idiota, qui nihil novit quam contumeliose loqui, contra sinceros verbi Doctores, is uno momento evertit omnia. Luther.

7. If they will not hear us, says the Apostle John, they are not of God, 1 John, 4.6. We are of God; he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Error. Doth a man then forsake the Assemblies of the Saints (as the manner of some is) and teach men so to do? he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; he is a False Teacher, and by this Fruit you may know him; yea, and by all these Fruits you may know False Teachers: You may know them by their Call; you may know them by their Doctrines; and you may know them by their Fruits, and their Practices. And thus you see how those that are False Apostles, or False Teachers, may be tried, and discovered. And is it a commendable thing in the Eyes of Christ, to make discovery of them? Now then, as you desire that you may fall under the Commendation of Christ here, or hereafter; let it be your work and business in these times to make this Discovery. Only know,