The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fifthly, Principles of Religion (largely so called) are of two sorts; either Corrupt, Idolatrical, and Heretical; or true, Sound, and Consonant to the Scripture. Now there are many in the world, are too forward to infuse poisonous and dangerous Principles; so great a matter is it, to consider what men are seasoned with at first, either privately or publicly. Thus many are infected with Popish and superstitious Principles; many with erroneous and false Doctrines; and these foundations being laid, it's very difficult ever to remove them. As the vessel is first seasoned, or the tree at first planted, so it is likely to continue. The Apostle calls those Jewish Ceremonies, the beggarly elements, Gal. 4.9. or Principles of the world. Why so? because the superstitious Teachers made them the first Elements, the Principles, the foundation of all; and therefore they thought all Religion was taken away, if they were removed. And thus you have divers persons, they have indeed some Principles of Religion, but they are Popish, and Superstitious, such as put out the Knowledge of Christ, and the Scriptures. And, It's a two-fold labour (as Socrates said) to a perverted Disciple of his, to teach them, for they must first be untaught their erroneous Principles, and then must be instructed in the truth. Oh then, look to this, that thy Principles about Religion be not false, ignorant, and superstitious ones!

Fifthly, Principles of Religion (largely so called) are of two sorts; either Corrupt, Idolatrical, and Heretical; or true, Sound, and Consonant to the Scripture. Now there are many in the world, are too forward to infuse poysonous and dangerous Principles; so great a matter is it, to consider what men are seasoned with at first, either privately or publiquely. Thus many are infected with Popish and superstitious Principles; many with erroneous and false Doctrines; and these foundations being laid, it's very difficult ever to remove them. As the vessel is first seasoned, or the tree at first planted, so it is likely to continue. The Apostle cals those Jewish Ceremonies, the beggerly elements, Gal. 4.9. or Principles of the world. Why so? because the superstitious Teachers made them the first Elements, the Principles, the foundation of all; and therefore they thought all Religion was taken away, if they were removed. And thus you have divers persons, they have indeed some Principles of Religion, but they are Popish, and Superstitious, such as put out the Knowledge of Christ, and the Scriptures. And, It's a two-fold labour (as Socrates said) to a perverted Disciple of his, to teach them, for they must first be untaught their erroneous Principles, and then must be instructed in the truth. Oh then, look to this, that thy Principles about Religion be not false, ignorant, and superstitious ones!