A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

Some errors are in their own nature damnable and inconsistent with the state of grace, or a fellowship with God, 2 Pet: 2. 1. So 2 ep▪ John v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. Sure it may be said, of Arians, Socinians, Papists, Libertines, they have not God, because they abide not in the doctrine of Christ, so Gal: 5. 4. Other error, there are, of which I may say, whatsoever they are comparatively, impenitency and continuing in them, doth condemn: whence it is that the Apostle James reckoneth him who errs from the truth, to be in a way of death and danger of damnation, Ja▪ 5. 19. 20.

Some errors are in their own nature damnable and inconsistent with the state of grace, or a fellowship with God, 2 Pet: 2. 1. So 2 ep▪ Iohn v. 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. Sure it may be said, of Arrians, Socinians, Papists, Libertines, they have not God, because they abide not in the doctrine of Christ, so Gal: 5. 4. Other error, there are, of which I may say, whatsoever they are comparatively, impenitency and continuing in them, doth condemne: whence it is that the Apostle Iames reckoneth him who erres from the truth, to be in a way of death and danger of damnation, Ia▪ 5. 19. 20.

Now the preservatives against Wavering, and helps to steadfastness in the Faith, are these: 1. Grow in knowledge and circumspection; be not simple as Children in understanding. There is a slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive: So speaks the Apostle of these that spread diverse and strange Doctrines, Eph: 4. 14. and Rom▪ 16. 18. he wars us that they do by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Thou hast therefore need of the wisdom of the serpent that thou be not deceived, as well as of the simplicity of the Dove, that thou be not a deceiver, Phil: 1. 9: 10. Do not rashly engage into any new opinion, much less into the spreading of it. With the well-advised is wisdom: Pythagoras would have us Scholars only to hear, and not to speak for five years. Be swift to hear but not to speak or engage: Prove all things, and when thou hast proved, then be sure to hold fast that which is good,