A30242:963
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sixthly, Dissimulations and inconstancies in matter of Religion. This is a secret work God will manifest. Divines call it to be a Nicodemite, He came to Jesus by night, John 3.2. and durst not openly profess Christ for fear of the Jews. There were some who have held. That they might do any external acts of Idololatrical worship, be at Mass (say they) believe any thing, so that they keep their consciences and minds pure. The Priscillianists are noted for wicked dissimulations herein. In Ezekiel we read the Prophet is commanded, To dig through the wall, to see the women and men committing their religious abominations in private, Ezek. 8.8. Now God will bring this hypocrisy to light, External profession is nectssary to salvation, when the command requireth it, as well as inward faith. With the heart man believeth, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation, ⟨p. 168⟩Rom. 10.10. So that in case of confession it is damnable not to acknowledge the truths of God. God gives a great commendation of seven thousand in Ahab's time, that had not bowed their knee to Baal, 1 King. 18.19. They would not dissemble that outward worship; commonly there are never more subtle and secret shiftings then in matters of Religion. But of that more in time.
Sixthly, Dissimulations and inconstancies in matter of Religion. This is a secret work God will manifest. Divines call it to be a Nicodemite, He came to Jesus by night, John 3.2. and durst not openly professe Christ for fear of the Jews. There were some who have held. That they might do any external acts of Idololatrical worship, be at Masse (say they) believe any thing, so that they keep their consciences and minds pure. The Priscillianists are noted for wicked dissimulations herein. In Ezekiel we reade the Prophet is commanded, To dig through the wall, to see the women and men committing their religious abominations in private, Ezek. 8.8. Now God will bring this hypocrisie to light, External profession is nectssary to salvation, when the command requireth it, as well as inward faith. With the heart man believeth, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation,