A89735:213
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A…
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A brief tractate, concerning the doctrine of the Quakers, demonstrating the destructive nature thereof, to religion, the churches, and the state, with consideration of the remedy against it. : Occasional satisfaction to objections, and confirmation of the contrary trueth. / By John Norton ...
Cambridge: printed by Samuel Green, 1659
Chapter 4: CHAP: 4. Of the Remedy against Heretical doctrines, and in particular, against the doct…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. A speedy and effectual endeavour to stablish our hearts in the trueth. That we henceforth be no more children tossed to & fro: and carried about with every wind of doctrine. Ephe. 4.14. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers &c: Heb. 5.12. Hold fast that which is good. 1. Thess. 5.21. 2. Tim. 1.13. Tit. 1.9. Rev. 2.13.25. &. 3.3, 11.
4. A speedie and effectuall endeavour to stablish our hearts in the trueth. That wee henceforth be no more children tossed to & fro: and carried about with every wind of doctrine. Ephe. 4.14. For when for the time yee ought to be teachers &c: Heb. 5.12. Hold fast that which is good. 1. Thess. 5.21. 2. Tim. 1.13. Tit. 1.9. Rev. 2.13.25. &. 3.3, 11.
Distinguish between questions of docility or teachableness tending to confirm us in the truth: and questions of scepticism tending to hold the mind in an irresolution concerning the trueth. Affectation of uncertainty in matters of religion, is against religion. Certainty is of the nature of faith. Doubting & Faith are opposite. To reduce trueth unto the hazard, and promote error unto the hope of a question, is to render error & trueth of equal credit. An antireligious levelisme leading unto Atheism: and if the trial be before corrupt reason, as the judge: it is a notable stratagem to represent trueth for error, & error for trueth. The serpents art in managing the first temptation was by way of question: Yea, hath God said?