Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…

3. When we are not offended in Christ, we are the better fortified against ⟨p. 243⟩Temptations to Apostasy: They are of three sorts; Errors, Scandals, Persecutions.

3. When we are not offended in Christ, we are the better fortified against ⟨p. 243⟩Temptations to Apostacy: They are of three sorts; Errors, Scandals, Persecutions.

1. Errors: Many are drawn away with vain Pretences, But we have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things, John 2. 20. But they are an offence, not only of Seduction, but Contristation Rom. 16. 17. Mark them which cause Errors and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avid them; these are Wens of Christ's Mystical Body, not Parts. Errors in the Church, breed Atheism in the World. Many question the Ways of God, and give over all Religion; because there are so many Differences and Sects, therefore they think nothing certain. Certainly God saw this Discipline to be fittest for his People; he hath told us, there must be Errors; he would not have us to take up Religion upon trust, without the pains of Study and Prayer. Lazy Men would fain give Laws to Heaven, and teach God how to govern the Affairs of the World, they would have all things clear and plain, that there should be no doubt about it. But the Lord in his wise Providence seeth it fit to permit these things, That they which ⟨p. 244⟩are approved, may be made manifest. To excuse the trouble of a Search, Study, and Prayer, Men would have all things agreed, else they take offence at Religion, and that is one means to draw them off, even after profession. The Canonists say, Non fuisset discretus Dominus Deus, nisi unum constiuerit Universalem Judicem. This was their Blasphemy, that God were not discreet and wise, unless he had appointed one Universal and Infallible Interpreter. This is Mens natural thoughts; the Jews say, That Christ was not the True Messiah: Why? Because if he had been, he would not have come in such a way as to leave any of his Country-men in doubt; but would so plainly have discovered himself, that all might know him: So many think Religion is but a Fancy, and so fall off to Atheism and Scepticism at last, and irresolution in Religion, because there are so many Sects and Divisions, and all upholding it with plausible pretences. And to excuse Laziness or Prejudice, Men pretend want of certainty: But God's Word is plain to all that will do his Will,