Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy

Doct. 4 The b•st•ou ward privileges in the world, if once they come to be •rusted in, are no better th•n lies; ver 4. trust not in lying words, the Temple, &c. i. e. they have as great and grand a delusion in them, and as surely deceive any that place their confidence upon them as any other deceit in the world whatsoever: they are no better shelter, nor will afford any greater security and safeguard to the soul then any other vain hiding place; and therefore, they that trust in them trust in falsehood; a lye is that which is spoken to deceive the creature: thus when men speak of their privileges, and rest on them, they deceive their own selves.

Doct. 4 The b•st•ou ward priviledges in the world, if once they come to be •rusted in, are no better th•n lyes; ver 4. trust not in lying words, the Temple, &c. i. e. they have as great and grand a delusion in them, and as surely deceive any that place their confidence upon them as any other deceit in the world whatsoever: they are no better shelter, nor will afford any greater security and safeguard to the soul then any other vain hiding place; and therefore, they that trust in them trust in falsehood; a lye is that which is spoken to deceive the creature: thus when men speak of their priviledges, and rest on them, they deceive their own selves.

Reas. 1. Because God give•hi• blessing with these privileges but conditionally, i. e. according to the creatures improvement of them; if they will make use of them aright they are a special benefit to them, otherwise not, 1 Chron: 28: 11: and therefore positively and absolutely to trust in these, and not to carry a respect to the condition which is annexed to them, it is to neglect and abuse Gods order of blessing, who together with privileges, promiseth good to the faithful improver of them, but threatens wrath, and denounceth his judgements against the abusers of it, and is therefore a great deceit.