That which I here aim at, is the good use which God in •is most wise and sovereign providence, can, and doth make of Heresies: 'Tis, that they which are approved, may be made manifest. Whereby [Greek or Hebrew], they which are approved, we can understand nothing but such as are true and sincere Saints, approved and accepted of God, or (as Bullinger on the place) vere pii, truly godly: In which sense the same word is used, Rom: 16. 10. 2 Cor: 10. 18. 2 Tim: 2. 15. Ja• 1. 12. The word is properly used of good money, or silver well refined, [Greek or Hebrew]. 'Tis transferred to Saints with special reference to their mortification, or to the refining of them from the dross of their corruptions, and so noteth such as walk in the spirit, and not in the flesh. The contrary word is [Greek or Hebrew], Reprobate, rejectaneous, naughty, or to be cast away like the dross of silver, 1 Cor: 9. 27. 2 Cor: 13. 5, 6. But how is it that by means, or occasion of Heresies, the godly party is made manifest? Surely the meaning of the Apostle is not, that the authors, and followers of Heresies are the godly party, for he calls Heresy, a work of the flesh. Gal: 5 20. and will have an Heretic to be rejected, as one who is of himself condemned, Tit: 3. 10. Therefore most certainly his meaning is that [Greek or Hebrew], they which are approved, are known by this; as one of their characters, they hate, avoid, and resist Heresies, and earnestly contend for the faith, they hold fast the truth of Christ without wavering. And those who broach, or adhere unto Heresies, are thereby known to be [Greek or Hebrew], unapproved, and such as are like reprobate silver. Whosoever therefore sideth, or engageth with Heresies, or Heretics; yea, whoever stands not fast in the faith, doth ipso facto declare himself to be none of Pauls godly party. So contrary is the holy Ghosts language to the tone of Sectaries in these days. Neither is it in this Scripture alone, but in diverse other Scriptures, that the holy Ghost distinguisheth those that are approved of God, from ⟨p. 118⟩such as turn away from the truth after false doctrines, and believe seducing spirits, as well as from those who are of an ungodly life. So Deut: 13. 3. when a false Prophet arose, and the sign or wonder came to pass, what was Gods meaning in permitting these things?
That which I here aime at, is the good use which God in •is most wise and soveraigne providence, can, and doth make of Heresies: 'Tis, that they which are approved, may bee made manifest. Whereby 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, they which are approved, we can understand nothing but such as are true and sincere Saints, approved and accepted of God, or (as Bullinger on the place) vere pii, truely godly: In which sense the same word is used, Rom: 16. 10. 2 Cor: 10. 18. 2 Tim: 2. 15. Ia• 1. 12. The word is properly used of good money, or silver well refined, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. 'Tis transferred to Saints with speciall reference to their mortification, or to the refyning of them from the drosse of their corrup•ions, and so noteth such as walk in the spirit, and not in the flesh. The contrarie word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Reprobate, rejectaneous, naughty, or to bee cast away like the drosse of silver, 1 Cor: 9. 27. 2 Cor: 13. 5, 6. But how is it that by means, or occasion of Heresies, the godly party is made manifest? Surely the meaning of the Apostle is not, that the authors, and followers of Heresies are the godly party, for he calls Heresie, a work of the flesh. Gal: 5 20. and will have an Heretick to be rejected, as one who is of himself condemned, Tit: 3. 10. Therefore most certainly his meaning is that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, they which are approved, are known by this; as one of their characters, they hate, avoid, and resist Heresies, and earnestly contend for the faith, they hold fast the truth of Christ without wavering. And those who broach, or adhere unto Heresies, are thereby known to be 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, unapproved, and such as are like reprobat silver. Whosoever therefore sideth, or ingadgeth with Heresies, or Hereticks; yea, whoever stands not fast in the faith, doth ipso facto declare himself to be none of Pauls godly party. So contrary is the holy Ghosts language to the tone of Sectaries in these day•s. Neither is it in this Scripture alone, but in diverse other Scriptures, that the holy Ghost distinguisheth those that are approved of God, from ⟨p. 118⟩such as turne away from the truth after false doctrines, and beleeve seducing spirits, as well as from those who are of an ungodly life. So Deut: 13. 3. when a false Prophet arose, and the signe or wonder came to passe, what was Gods meaning in permitting these things?
