The church of Rome, no safe guide, or, Reasons to prove that no rational…

Let men now who take care of their own eternal Salvation, place themselves in their Thoughts in that condition, which the present case and their own circumstances do place them in. The World, the Place where they live, the People whereunto they do belong, are filled with different Apprehensions, Principles, Opinions and Practices in and about Religion. Some of these, as those between the Papists and the Protestants, have immediate influence into their eternal condition of Blessedness or Misery, as both parties contend. Dreadful disorders and confusions have followed, and are like to follow these differences even in this World. They will in this case find, that it highly concerns them to take care that they be not deceived, and thereby ruined eternally, as multitudes are; that they be not high-minded, but fear. A Guide is that which they are to look after, that may carry them safely through all these difficulties and dangers. Two immediately offer themselves unto them, tendering the utmost assurance in these things, which the nature of man is capable of in this world. The one is the Pope or Church of Rome, which requires no more of them, but a blind submission unto its Guidance; a way I confess to extricate themselves, and to deliver them from all care about their own souls, easy and facile, if safe. The other is the Holy Scripture, with the promised Aids of the Spirit of God, to lead us unto the understanding of it, and the Truth contained in it. But in this way it is required of men, that they make use of their own Reason, Understanding, Judgment, Diligence, with fervent Prayer for Divine Assistance.

Let men now who take care of their own eternal Salvation, place themselves in their Thoughts in that condition, which the present case and their own circumstances do place them in. The World, the Place where they live, the People whereunto they do belong, are filled with different Apprehensions, Principles, Opinions and Practices in and about Religion. Some of these, as those between the Papists and the Protestants, have immediate influence into their eternal condition of Blessedness or Misery, as both parties contend. Dreadful disorders and confusions have followed, and are like to follow these differences even in this World. They will in this case find, that it highly concerns them to take care that they be not deceived, and thereby ruined eternally, as multitudes are; that they be not high-minded, but fear. A Guide is that which they are to look after, that may carry them safely through all these difficulties and dangers. Two immediately offer themselves unto them, tendring the utmost assurance in these things, which the nature of man is capable of in this world. The one is the Pope or Church of Rome, which requires no more of them, but a blind submission unto its Guidance; a way I confess to extricate themselves, and to deliver them from all care about their own souls, easie and facile, if safe. The other is the Holy Scripture, with the promised Aids of the Spirit of God, to lead us unto the understanding of it, and the Truth contained in it. But in this way it is required of men, that they make use of their own Reason, Understanding, Judgment, Diligence, with fervent Prayer for Divine Assistance.