An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Secondly, Such regard Religion only in a carnal way, Who though they ¹may acknowledge some principles of the Christian Religion, yet at the same time maintain some damnable or heretical Doctrines that do overthrow the very foundation. Such as these take up Religion with carnal motives, and so in time become cruel enemies to the faithful Guides, that are in Gods Church. Wonder not that I make an Heretic to regard Religion after the flesh; for Galat. 5. 20. Heresies are reckoned a fruit of the flesh. Insomuch that Austin made it an ingredient into the definition of an Heretic, that he either beget or propagate false opinions, Alicujus temporalis commodi causâ, for some temporal advantage. And although we cannot say thus of all, because God in just judgement doth deliver up some who receive not the truth in the love of it, to efficacy of error, to strong delusions, that they should believe a lie, 1 Thess. 2. 10, 11. yet this very delusion upon their judgement, this error and blindness upon their mind, is of the flesh. For you must know, that the flesh, or to be carnal, doth not in the Scripture signify the pollution upon the sensitive and bodily part only, but also upon the intellectual and rational: It's a fleshly mind, as well as fleshly affections. Thus all such, who though they do retain some principles of the Christian faith, do yet believe other damnable Doctrines, these are Religions only in a carnal respect; and thereupon when occasion serveth, do manifest the rancour and malice that is in their heart against the truths of Christ. Ecclesiastical History informeth us, of the bloody cruelty, which the Arians exercised against the Orthodox, when they had power in their hands. The Paganish persecutions were not much superior to the Heretical. Yea, as it is said, amongst brethren discord is the more vehement and flaming than any other: So it is amongst those that pretend to be of the same Church of God. So that we ought to walk humbly, and to pray earnestly unto God, to keep our hearts, to enlighten our minds, to give us tenderness and lowliness of mind, that we be not led aside ⟨p. 267⟩with the error of the wicked; for error and heresy will break out into enmity, and make men think they do God good service, while they destroy you.