Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

Use. 1. By way of Confutation: This Doctrine lets us see the erroneousness of sundry false Opinions which some men have taken up. As,

Ʋse. 1. By way of Confutation: This Doctrine lets us see the erroneousness of sudry false Opinions which some men have taken up. As,

1. Their Opinion is from hence convinced of error, who have thought that the Gentiles were saved by their Philosophy and Morality, though they had nothing but the light of Nature to instruct them. If that were so, Christ would never have said concerning the way to life, few there be that find it. How can that be, if very Heathens by the dark light of nature find it? One of the Ancients therefore said well, That some have endeavoured to prove Plato a Christian, till they have thereby proved themselves to be little better than Heathens. There is a Book extant with that Title, de Salute Aristotelis, concerning the Salvation of Aristotle. And an other •ath written a Book, de Animabus Paganorum, endeavouring to prove, ⟨p. 191⟩that the Souls of some that dyed Pagans, are in a state of bliss. But tho' I censure not any of the godly, learned Ancients, or amongst the Reformers, that have been blemished with this error, yet it will be found certain another day, That Philosophy without Theology; light of Nature without the light of Scripture, will never bring the Soul to Christ, or into that way which leads to Eternal life. There are too many bad Christians, but there are no good Heathens. Take the best of the Gentiles, even those that wrote most for Virtue, and try them by the Touch-stone of Gods Word, and it will be found true, that there never was the l•ast real Scripture-virtue in any of them. They would make a show of Love and Patience, and other Virtues; but what they had, was no more like the Scripture-grace of Love or Patience, than the Sun which is painted on the Wall, is like to the Sun which moveth in the Firmament. Then Magnanimity, if tried by Scripture, will be found no better than that odious and accursed sin of Pride. What shall we say, that Paul doth expressly and by name condemn that for a Vice, which Aristotle crieth up for a Virtue. So you find,