CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Even as the Scripture speaks contemptibly of the Egyptian Army, Isa. 31.3. They are flesh and not spirit; The same may be said of all that Religion and devotion which most put confidence in: But yet take heed of another extreme error that crieth down the Ordinances, and under pretence of a spiritual high attainment, which they think they have, wholly lay aside these visible Ordinances and performances which Christ hath appointed in his Church till the end of the world.

Even as the Scripture speaks contemptibly of the Egyptian Army, Isa. 31.3. They are flesh and not spirit; The same may be said of all that Religion and devotion which most put confidence in: But yet take heed of another extream errour that crieth down the Ordinances, and under pretence of a spirituall high attainment, which they think they have, wholly lay aside these visible Ordinances and performances which Christ hath appointed in his Church till the end of the world.

4. Then men would have Christ after a visible manner when they pretend Revelations and Miracles; For what is this but to leave the Word and the promises as if that were not sufficient, God indeed hath condescended to support sense, as when he vouchsafed Miracles in the Infancy of the Church, yea, the Sacraments he hath appointed are a kind of relief to our sense, he considered our weakness in appointing such visible Signs, but when we are not contented with ⟨p. 337⟩Gods Institutions but desired such sensible supports, which he will not afford, This proceeds from a carnal disposition in us, This is the cause in Popery why they tell us of such miraculous apparitions, they will tell you of Crucifixes bleeding, of Christs visible appearing, of such great wonders done upon the Invocation of such and such Saints, and all this is to humour the carnal part of a man, for spiritual things are supernatural and very hard and difficult to flesh and blood.