Words whereby we may be saved. By Thomas Vincent, sometime minister of Maudlins milk-street,…

Direct. 10. You must be steadfast, and persevere in the ways of God unto your lives end, if you would be saved: And here you must be steadfast, 1. In the ways of Truth. 2. In the Ways of Gods Commandments.

Direct. 10. You must be stedfast, and persevere in the wayes of God unto your lives end, if you would be saved: And here you must be stedfast, 1. In the wayes of Truth. 2. In the Wayes of Gods Commandements.

1. You must be steadfast and persevere in the ways of Truth; in the belief of the Truths of the Word, without turning aside into ways of Error; there are ways of Error which will lead you as certainly, and more securely to Hell, than the ways of open profaneness. The Apostle tells us of damnable errors, as well as open, damnable sins, 2 Pet. 2. 1. and we read of some that are damned for believing a lye, that their delusion hath been the cause of their damnation, 2 Thess. 2. 11, 12. The Devil leads as many as he can in the cords of more gross and known sins towards the place of endless misery; but ⟨p. 73⟩if any of them begin to perceive their thraldom and danger, if their eyes be a little opened, and Conscience awakened, and hearts affected, and they are persuaded to look after their salvation, then he endeavours to draw them into ways of Error, he hath his Agents and Ministers, who are very subtle and crafty, and lye in wait to deceive, who with good words and fair speeches insinuate poisonous doctrines; and pretending more glorious discoveries, higher and more excellent ways, draw them out of the way of the Word and Ordinances, into paths of darkness, where they wander and lose themselves for ever; where they are tossed up and down, and beaten to and fro with every wind of doctrine unto the shipwreck of their Faith and their Souls. As you hope for salvation, you must take heed of Error; diligently inquire after Truth; search for it as for silver, and dig for it as for hidden treasures; dig for it in the golden Mines of the Scriptures, let the Word of God be the only Rule of your Faith; and having found the Truth, keep it, hold it fast, labour to fix it in your minds, let it be as a girdle about your loins; lay it up in your heart, let it be rooted there; apply your selves to Christ as a Prophet to lead you by his Word and Spirit into all Truth, and to keep you from being deceived and deluded; and keep close to the Ministry and Ordinances of Christs Institution, which the Lord hath appointed to continue unto the end of the World, for the edifying establishment, and perfecting of the Saints,