As for the change of Opinion here mentioned, such Professions are nothing strange. But whether such a Profession be in truth, or in pretence, and rather liberty taken to manifest that Opinion, which formerly hath been cherished: as also with what conscience void of all carnal respects, such a change or manifestation is made, it belongs not unto us to judge, but to leave that unto God, who trieth the hearts and reins. Sure we are, the heart of man is full of deceitfulness, both to deceive others, yea and to deceive our selves, the more need there is to be jealous over our selves, and to carry a watchful eye over our own souls, and whether we have changed a former way, or at the first chose one or other way, and continue to embrace that, whereof we have been at first informed; not to despise, but in the fear of God, to practice that 1holy counsel of the Apostle given to the Corinthians, a famous Church, and such as were destitute of no spiritual gift. Prove your selves, whether you are in the Faith, examine your selves: know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates? as also to consider how indifferently we carry our selves, in using means to inform our selves in the way of truth, and whether they be not such as do discover our chief care hath been to bring our judgements about, to the embracing 2of that way (whether Truth or Error) which formerly we did effect. Certain it is, that Heresies must be, and that to this end, that they that are approved may be made manifest. And Illusions shall have their course, when the truth of God is not embraced with love, whatsoever be the pretence of our disaffecting it, whether harshness to affections, or discrepancy to carnal reason. And when such judgements have their course, Who are privileged from being seduced? Let our Saviour speak in this, 3So that if it were possible men should deceive the very elect. Upon what may we be assured to stand firm in time of such temptation? Let the Apostle answer us in this, 4when after the effectual working of Satan in them that perish, he comes near to them to whom he writes in the way of comfort thus, But we ought to give thanks alway to God, for you Brethren beloved of the Lord, because that God hath from the beginning chosen you unto salvation through sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth.
As for the change of Opinion here mentioned, such Professions are nothing strange. But whether such a Profession be in truth, or in pretence, and rather liberty taken to manifest that Opinion, which formerly hath been cherished: as also with what conscience voyd of all carnall respects, such a change or manifestation is made, it belongs not unto us to judge, but to leave that unto God, who tryeth the hearts and reynes. Sure we are, the heart of man is full of deceitfulnesse, both to deceive others, yea and to deceive our selves, the more need there is to be jealous over our selves, and to carry a watchfull eye over our own soules, and whether we have chang'd a former way, or at the first chose one or other way, and continue to imbrace that, whereof we have been at first informed; not to despise, but in the feare of God, to practice that 1holy counsell of the Apostle given to the Corinthians, a famous Church, and such as were destitute of no spirituall gift. Prove your selves, whether you are in the Faith, examine your selves: know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates? as also to consider how indifferently we carry our selves, in using means to inform our selves in the way of truth, and whether they be not such as doe discover our chiefe care hath been to bring our judgements about, to the imbracing 2of that way (whether Truth or Errour) which formerly we did effect. Certaine it is, that Heresies must be, and that to this end, that they that are approved may be made manifest. And Illusions shall have their course, when the truth of God is not imbraced with love, whatsoever be the pretence of our disaffecting it, whether harshnes to affections, or discrepancy to carnall reason. And when such judgements have their course, Who are priviledged from being seduced? Let our Saviour speake in this, 3So that if it were possible men should deceive the very elect. Upon what may we be assured to stand firme in time of such temptation? Let the Apostle answer us in this, 4when after the effectuall working of Satan in them that perish, he comes neere to them to whom he writes in the way of comfort thus, But we ought to give thankes alway to God, for you Brethren beloved of the Lord, because that God hath from the beginning chosen you unto salvation through sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth.
- 12 Cor. 13. 5.
- 21 Cor. 11. 19. 2 Thes. 2. 10, 11.
- 3Matth. 24. 24.
- 42 Thes. 2. 13.
