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

Sixthly, The Ministers of God, though never so eminent, have been afraid of this, they have prohibited such restings upon them. But of this in another Doctrine, viz. That it's the property of godly Ministers, not to bring men to themselves, but to Christ.

Several Uses may be made. As

First, That a Papist as a Papist, following the principles of Popery and going no further, hath but an humane blind faith. They are so of the Pope, and bound to his Determinations, that all their Religion is built upon his Decision. One of their learnedst Rabbis Valentia, brings in a private Man, consulting what Religion he should choose and he argueth, That if he be a Protestant, then he must read the Bible, and other Authors; and (saith he) I have not time to do that. Therefore I will be of the Popish Religion, for it's but believing as the Church, and as the Pope believeth. Now (saith the Jesuit) God will at the Day of Judgement crown this man with glory for believing so, yea he merits by believing so. Now, how contrary is this to Scripture, which bids us, Search the Scriptures, Try the Spirits; Not think of man above what is meet? So that their Faith is an humane Faith, their Religion an humane Religion, believed for mans sake. And that is the reason, why the people of the greatest ignorance are most taken with it, for it commends ignorance, and pleaseth the vulgar fancy with a gorgeous worship.

First, That a Papist as a Papist, following the principles of Popery and going no further, hath but an humane blind faith. They are so of the Pope, and bound to his Determinations, that all their Religion is built upon his Decision. One of their learnedst Rabbies Valentia, brings in a private Man, consulting what Religion he should chuse and he argueth, That if he be a Protestant, then he must reade the Bible, and other Authours; and (saith he) I have not time to do that. Therefore I will be of the Popish Religion, for it's but believing as the Church, and as the Pope believeth. Now (saith the Jesuite) God will at the Day of Judgement crown this man with glory for believing so, yea he merits by believing so. Now, how contrary is this to Scripture, which bids us, Search the Scriptures, Try the Spirits; Not think of man above what is meet? So that their Faith is an humane Faith, their Religion an humane Religion, believed for mans sake. And that is the reason, why the people of the greatest ignorance are most taken with it, for it commends ignorance, and pleaseth the vulgar fancy with a gorgeous worship.