THE Foundation of the small ensuing discourse, shall be laid in a Position, wherein as I suppose, Persons of all sorts who are concerned in the things treated about, are agreed; namely, that it is the Duty of every man who taketh care of his own eternal Salvation, to betake himself into some Guide or Conduct, that may safely lead him unto the Knowledge of the Truth, and the Practice of Christian Obedience. The Nature of Religion, the State of our own Minds in this World, with the eternal Importance of a safe unerring Guidance in things Spiritual and Supernatural, do require that the utmost of our Diligence and Prudence, be used in the discharge of this Duty, in the choice of this Guide. No man of himself is sufficient by his own Reason alone to be his own Guide. They who thinking themselves wise have attempted so to be, have waxed vain in their Imaginations, and their foolish hearts have been darkened. Rom. 1. 21. The warning and instruction given by Solomon, do principally respect this case; He that trusteth in his own ⟨p. 2⟩heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely shall be delivered, Prov. 28. 26. But the Knowledge of, and Adherence unto such a Guide, are eminently necessary, when there are great Differences and Divisions amongst men about Religion; especially if they are managed in ways and by means not only scandalous unto Religion it self, but pernicious unto Humane Society, in their consequents. When men not only say and contend that here is Christ, and lo there is Christ, Matth. 24. 23. but also on the account of these differences engage into ways and practices, ruinous unto the souls of men, and destructive unto all that is praise worthy in this World, those who are not careful to choose and adhere unto a faithful Guide and conduct, are no less defective in Wisdom, than negligent in their Duty.
THE Foundation of the small ensuing discourse, shall be laid in a Position, wherein as I suppose, Persons of all sorts who are concerned in the things treated about, are agreed; namely, that it is the Duty of every man who taketh care of his own eternal Salvation, to betake himself into some Guide or Conduct, that may safely lead him unto the Knowledge of the Truth, and the Practice of Christian Obedience. The Nature of Religion, the State of our own Minds in this World, with the eternal Importance of a safe unerring Guidance in things Spiritual and Supernatural, do require that the utmost of our Diligence and Prudence, be used in the discharge of this Duty, in the choice of this Guide. No man of himself is sufficient by his own Reason al•ne to be his own Guide. They who thinking themselves wise have attempted so to be, have waxed vain in their Imaginations, and their foolish hearts have been darkned. Rom. 1. 21. The warning and instruction given by Solomon, do principally respect this case; He that trusteth in his own ⟨p. 2⟩heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely shall be delivered, Prov. 28. 26. But the Knowledg of, and Adherence unto such a Guide, are eminently necessary, when there are great Differences and Divisions amongst men about Religion; especially if they are mannaged in waies and by means not only scandalous unto Religion it self, but pernitious unto Humane Society, in their consequents. When men not only say and contend that here is Christ, and lo there is Christ, Matth. 24. 23. but also on the account of these differences ingage into waies and practices, ruinous unto the souls of men, and destructive unto all that is praise worthy in this World, those who are not careful to chuse and adhere unto a faithful Guide and conduct, are no less defective in Wisdom, than negligent in their Duty.
