The practical divinity of the papists discovered to be destructive of Christianity and mens…

The same Author tells us ^(m)that some Doctors ascribe so much to the instruction of Pastors, who have care of the Flock, that if they should teach that now and then God would have them to hate him, a simple Parishioner ⟨p. 74⟩is bound to believe them. All think not fit to give so broad instances, but whether all have not warrant to do it by their common Tenet, let others judge.

1. (m)Immo aliqui doctores tantum tribuunt instructioni pastorum, quibus incumbit cura ovium, quod si docerent hic & nunc, Deum velle odio haberi, quod teneatur Parochianus rudis eis credere. ibid. Probl. 15. p. 97.

However, if the people (content to trust, and not to see, what so much concerns them) suffer themselves to be deceived, they sin not, their ignorance will save them harmless. And what could any Impostor desire more than to have those whom he hath a mind to abuse to the uttermost, possessed with such a confidence, that how-ever they be deluded, it will not hurt them? Now what an admirable expedient is ignorance for the Children of this Kingdom, when by virtue of it, the Leaders may carry the people whither they list, without suspicion, the people may follow in the dark without danger? No wonder if ignorance be nourished in them by all means, when they are not concerned to know whether that which they are led to, be good, or evil, just, or unjust, against God, or for him; what-ever it be, they ought to obey at a venture. ⁽ⁿ⁾They need not so much as know whether their Leaders have power to require what they enjoin.

However, if the people (content to trust, and not to see, what so much concerns them) suffer themselves to be deceived, they sin not, their ignorance will save them harmless. And what could any Impostor desire more than to have those whom he hath a mind to abuse to the uttermost, possessed with such a confidence, that how-ever they be deluded, it will not hurt them? Now what an admirable expedient is ignorance for the Children of this Kingdom, when by vertue of it, the Leaders may carry the people whither they list, without suspition, the people may follow in the dark without danger? No wonder if ignorance be nourished in them by all means, when they are not concerned to know whether that which they are led to, be good, or evil, just, or unjust, against God, or for him; what-ever it be, they ought to obey at a venture.