The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

II. Take not up therefore every Opinion and Doctrine from men,¹ or Angel that bears a fair show of advancing Christ, for they may be but the fruits of Evangelical Hypocrisy and deceit, that being deceived themselves, may deceive others too, Mat. 7. 15. Beware of them that come in Sheeps clothing, in the innocency, purity, and meekness of Christ and his people, but inwardly are Wolves, proud, cruel, censorious, speaking evil of what they know not; by their fruits you shall know them. Do not think Beloved that Satan will not seek to send delusions among us, and do you think these delusions will come out of the Popish pack, whose inventions s•el above ground here? No, he must come, and will come with more Evangelical fine-spun devices. It's a rule observed among Jesuits at this day, If they would conquer Religion by subtlety, never oppose Religion with a cross Religion, but set it against it self; so oppose the Gospel by the Gospel: and look as Churches pleading for Works had new invented devised Works; so when Faith is preached, men will have their n•w inventions of Faith; I speak not this against the Doctrine of Faith where 'tis preached, but am glad of it, nor that I would have men content themselves with every form of Faith; for I believe that most mens Faith needs confirming or trying, but I speak to prevent danger on that hand. For it was that which Christ did fore-tell, Mat. 24. 24. Many false christs should arise, i. e. such as should misapply Christ, that had a spirit for Christ, which was a spirit against Christ, and would deceive if it were possible the very Elect; for coming with Christs Spirit, they dare not oppose them, lest they oppose the Spirit of Christ; the only remedy is to hold to Christs Word, and not to depart one hairs breadth from it, Rev. 3. 10. and to a Word well understood, and then dispute no more. Satan comes to Eve, and bids her eat, no, God forbid, yet eat to be like gods; He dazzled her eyes with that which was not: now she fell. Take the truth from what the Word saith, and depart not from it.

II. Take not up therefore every Opinion and Doctrine from men,