Hence, from the Connection, we may observe, That in the delivering and receiving of Doctrines, we should carefully abstain, not only from what is unsound and dangerous, but also from what is unsafe and venturous. And truly had this Caution of our Apostle been duly regarded; had not Teacher• luxuriant Tongues, and Hearers itching Ears, loathing old Truths, unless they appear set off in new Dresses, our Time ⟨p. 109⟩•d not been so fruitful in those Mon•rs of Opinions that make it disputa•e, whether our Knowledge or our Errors were more. It is a true Saying •ong the Ancients, That Heresies •ead from Words, if not falsely, yet duly and improperly spoken. The •olish, rash, and daring Expressions that •ve dropped from Men sound in the truth, being received by those that have •t been able to put a difference betwixt •hat is Proper, and what is Figurative; •hat is Doctrinal, and what is Rhetori•l, have been the occasion of leading •any aside into most dangerous and de•ructive Tenets: Certainly Christian religion is a thing more severe and punctual than to be rhetoricated upon, and nourished with Oratory, that may through •earers Mistakes as much pervert the judgment, as it may please and tickle •he Fancy. There is great weight in Words; for by them the Understanding • steered, either into the knowledge of Truth, or else into the embracing of Error; and therefore we ought to use •ch Expressions as are least liable to any Mis-apprehensions, or Mis-interpretations. It is not enough to speak that ⟨p. 110⟩which may possibly be fetched off wi• Truth by a distinction; but if we d• but consult the Ignorance of some an• the Malice of others, we should see re• son enough to speak, if possibly, so • that the ignorant might not be able • mistake us, nor the malicious be able • mis-construe us. As for instance, • affirm that we are mystically united u• to Christ, and thereby become one wi• him, this is a most high and most u• doubted Truth; but to say that we a• Goded and Christed, as some have go• about to express this ineffable Myster• in sweet and sugar-words, this hath bee• the occasion of that familistical Blasphemy and Nonsense that hath invaded • many parts of the Nation. We must observe and consider also that the sense an• meaning of many Expressions vary an• alter from the Time in which they wer• used.
Hence, from the Connexion, we may observe, That in the delivering and receiving of Doctrines, we should carefully abstain, not only from what is unsound and dangerous, but also from what is unsafe and venturous. And truly had this Caution of our Apostle been duly regarded; had not Teacher• luxuriant Tongues, and Hearers itching Ears, loathing old Truths, unless they appear set off in new Dresses, our Time ⟨p. 109⟩•d not been so fruitful in those Mon•rs of Opinions that make it disputa•e, whether our Knowledge or our Er•urs were more. It is a true Saying •ong the Ancients, That Heresies •ead from Words, if not falsly, yet •duly and improperly spoken. The •olish, rash, and daring Expressions that •ve dropp'd from Men sound in the •ruth, being received by those that have •t been able to put a difference betwixt •hat is Proper, and what is Figurative; •hat is Doctrinal, and what is Rhetori•l, have been the occasion of leading •any aside into most dangerous and de•ructive Tenets: Certainly Christian •eligion is a thing more severe and pun•tual than to be rhetoricated upon, and •ourished with Oratory, that may through •earers Mistakes as much pervert the •udgment, as it may please and tickle •he Fancy. There is great weight in Words; for by them the Understanding • steered, either into the knowledge of Truth, or else into the embracing of Er•our; and therefore we ought to use ch Expressions as are least liable to any Mis-apprehensions, or Mis-interpretaions. It is not enough to speak that
