A Body of Practical Divinity

Use 3. of Reproof. If the Lord Jehovah be the ••ly true God, then it reproves those who renounce the true God; I mean such as seek to familiar Spirits: this is too much practised among them that call themselves Christians. 'Tis a sin condemned by the Law of God, Deut. 18.11. There shall not be found among you any that consults with familiar Spirits. How ordinary is this? If People have lost any of their Goods, they send to Wizards to know how they may come by their Goods again. What is this but consulting with the Devil? and so you renounce God and your Baptism. What? because you have lost your Goods, will you lose your Souls too? 2 Kings 1.6. Thus saith the Lord, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-zebub? so is it not because you think there is not a God in Heaven, ⟨p. 62⟩that you ask Counsel of the Devil? If any here be guilty, be deeply humbled, you have renounced the true God; better be without the Goods you have lost, then have the Devil help you to them again.

Use 4. of Exhortation. If there be but one God, as God is O••, so let them that serve him be One. This is that Christ prayed so heartily for, John 17.21. That they all may be One. Christians should be One, 1. in Judgment; the Apostle exhorts to be all of one mind, 1 Cor. 1.10. How sad is it to see Religion wearing a Coat of divers Colours, to see Christians of so many Opinions, and going so many different ways. It is Satan hath sown these Tares of Division, Matth. 13.39. he first divided Men from God, and now divides one Man from another. 2. One in Affection. They should have one Heart;