It is a dreadful argument we are upon, yet necessary to be known for our caution, however to be handled warily. (1.) It is certainly more meet for us to have a regard of our own estate, than curiously to enquire what becometh of others. The Apostle waveth judging them that are without, 1 Cor. 5.12. I know he meaneth it of the censures of the Church, which are not exercised upon Infidels, but ⟨p. 184⟩Christians; but so far we may apply i• to this case, that we should not rashly judge of the eternal state of other persons, but rather of things wherein our selves are concerned. If the enquiry were only matter of curiosity, surely Christs rebuke would silence it, What is that to thee, Joh. 21.20. for Christ is ill pleased with curiosity about the state of other men but it is fit we should know our own duty and danger, and to that end it must be discussed. (2.) That there is a great difficulty of the Salvation of Papists, so living and dying, if not an utter impossibility. Partly because, though it should be supposed that they retain the foundation, yet they build such Hay, and stubble upon it; so many errors in Doctrine, corruptions in Worship, and Tyranny in Government, that if a man could be sa•ed, he is saved but as by fire, 1 Cor. 3.13. and no man that hath a care of his Soul, will either embrace Popery, or continue in it; where the way is plainest, there are difficulties enough, and the righteous are scarcely saved, and therefore in a questionable way, none should venture. Worshipping of Angels and Saints departed, and Images, are no light thing. Nor will a serious Christian choose that way where the Doctrines of the Gospel are so exceedingly corrupted, and there is such a manifest invasion of the Authority of Christ, by challenging an Universal Headship over his Church, ⟨p. 185⟩without his leave, and this maintained by errors and persecutions. (3.) We must distinguish of those that lived under Popery, rather as Captives under this Tyranny, than voluntary Subjects of this Kingdom of Antichrist: As many holy men did in former times, groaning and mourning under the abominations, rather than countenancing and promoting them. To these God speaketh when he said, Rev. 18.4. Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. They were his people while they were there.
It is a dreadful argument we are upon, yet necessary to be known for our caution, however to be handled warily. (1.) It is certainly more meet for us to have a regard of our own estate, than curiously to enquire what becometh of others. The Apostle waveth judging them that are without, 1 Cor. 5.12. I know he meaneth it of the censures of the Church, which are not exercised upon Infidels, but ⟨p. 184⟩Christians; but so far we may apply i• to this case, that we should not rashly judge of the eternal state of other persons, but rather of things wherein our selves are concerned. If the enquiry were only matter of curiosity, surely Christs rebuke would silence it, What is that to thee, Joh. 21.20. for Christ is ill pleased with curiosity about the state of other men but it is fit we should know our own duty and danger, and to that end it must be discussed. (2.) That there is a great diffi•ulty of the Salvation of Papists, so living and dying, if not an utter impossibility. Partly because, though it should be supposed that they retain the foundation, yet they build such Hay, and stubble upon it; so many errors in Doctrine, corruptions in Worship, and Tyranny in Government, that if a man could be sa•ed, he is saved but as by fire, 1 Cor. 3.13. and no man that hath a care of his Soul, wi•l either embrace Popery, or continue in it; where the way is plainest, there are difficulties enough, and the righteous are scarcely saved, and therefore in a questionable way, none should venture. Worshipping of Angels and Saints departed, and Images, are no light thing. Nor will a serious Christian chuse that way where the Doctrines of the Gospel are so exceedingly corrupted, and there is such a manifest invasion of the Authority of Christ, by c•allenging an Universal Headship over his Church, ⟨p. 185⟩without his leave, and this maintained by errors and persecutions. (3.) We must distinguish of those that lived under Popery, rather as Captives under this Tyranny, than voluntary Subjects of this Kingdom of Antichrist: As many holy men did in former times, groaning and mourning under the abominations, rather than countenancing and p•omoting them. To these God speaketh when he said,
