So that consider, if it did not smite with our hearts to close with the Inventions of men, with satanical power rather then with Christ, it were not possible there should be such aberrations from the Institutions of Christ, were it not for the impetuous licentiousness of the hearts of the Sons of men. And therefore when there is such a vast swelling, that many Congregations shall be but one Church; how shall we go home edified by such discourse? This belongs to all the Churches, to take the opportunities that we have, that we may not run headlong upon the devices of ⟨p. 124⟩men, or our own wits, to that which is suitable to sense, and natural reason, and walking according to the light of natural conscience. Conscience was never so corrupt as in corrupt nature it is; and reason never so blind as in corrupt nature it is, and sense never so luxurious. A man is ready to please sense, his palate, his nostrils, his eye, and hand, and touch, and natural reason, and conscience, a man is marvellous free that way; so free, that the less a man discern it, the more he is captivated to it. And therefore let every man know that we carry about with us a principle of subjection of our selves to the Ordinances of men rather then to Christ. If it be to speak to our own honour and applause, we have words at will, and hearts that run full stream that way; If it were to set out our selves, or our friends, we are open hearted, and open mouthed that way: but if it shall be to give glory to God, in the presence of a particular visible Church of Christs Institution, there we are marvellous unwilling to submit to edify our brethren, and glorify God. If it were to an Ordinance of man, it is a wonder to see how men will run and ride to give satisfaction to this and that Episcopal Court higher, and lower, and clear all scores there, that we may not be debarred of Christian burial, or Church Communion, though it may be we cannot have it with mixture of corruption, and can scarce close with it, especially those that are enlightened:
So that consider, if it did not smite with our hearts to close with the Inventions of men, with satanicall power rather then with Christ, it were not possible there should be such aberations from the Institutions of Christ, were it not for the impetuous licentiousnesse of the hearts of the Sonnes of men. And therefore when there is such a vast swelling, that many Congregations shall be but one Church; how shall we go home edefied by such discourse? This belonges to all the Churches, to take the opportunities that we have, that we may not runne headlong upon the devices of ⟨p. 124⟩men, or our owne wits, to that which is suitable to sence, and naturall reason, and walking according to the light of naturall conscience. Conscience was never so corrupt as in corrupt nature it is; and reason never so blinde as in corrupt nature it is, and sence never so luxurious. A man is ready to please sence, his pallat, his nostrils, his eye, and hand, and touch, and naturall reason, and conscience, a manis marvellous free that way; so free, that the lesse a man discerne it, the more he is captivated to it. And therefore let every man know that we carry about with us a principle of subjection of our selves to the Ordinances of men rather then to Christ. If it be to speak to our owne honour and applause, we have words at will, and hearts that runne full stream that way; If it were to set out our selves, or our friends, we are open hearted, and open mouthed that way: but if it shall be to give glory to God, in the presence of a particular visible Church of Christs Institution, there we are marvellous unwilling to submit to edifie our brethren, and glorifie God. If it were to an Ordinance of man, it is a wonder to see how men will runne and ride to give satisfaction to this and that Episcopal Court higher, and lower, and clear all scores there, that we may not be debarred of Christian buriall, or Church Communion, though it may be we cannot have it with mixture of corruption, and can scarse close with it, especially those that are enlightned:
