The corruption of minde. Described in a sermon preached at Pauls the 24. day of June, 1655. / By Richard Vines, preacher of Gods word at Laurence-Jury, London.

The Corruption of Minde DESCRIBED. 2 Cor. 11. 3. But I fear lest by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve by his ſubtilty, ſo your mindes ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 towards Chriſt.

AS the mother of Chriſt truly was, ſo the Church of Chriſt may be truly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as Clem. Alex. ſaith) a virgin mother.

The fruitfulneſs of her womb to bring forth children unto God.

The fulneſs of her breaſts to bring them up unto God, ſpeak her a mother.

The ſimplicity of the faith, chaſtity of worſhip, ſincerity of love, integrity of life, ſpeak her a virgin.

Chriſt anſwers the type of him the high Prieſt, Levit. 21. 14. A widow or a harlot, he ſhall not take, but he ſhall take a virgin to wife.

And therefore it is the ſcope of the Goſpel-Miniſters whom God ſends (as Abraham did his ſervant with Commiſſion to procure a wife for his ſon) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to fit and treat a match to eſpouſe chaſte virgins unto Chriſt, ver. 2.

Which ſcope if we do but carry in our eye, and aime at in our Miniſtery, we ſhould avoid the too much uſed folly, and imbrace the ſucceſsfull fooliſhneſs of Goſpel-preaching. We may juſtly ask the cauſe of our Apoſtle his feare, leſt this Corinthian virgin ſhould become a Thais; for unjuſt ſuſpition is a kind of ſlander to chaſtity: and the queſtion is, how the Apoſtle could ſay, I am jealous; for the virgin was not eſpouſed to him, but Chriſts Miniſters are but the ſpokes-men, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , treating for Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5. 10. they neither ſowe nor mowe for themſelvs, therefore he takes off the doubt in that expreſſion, I am jealous over you 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , with jealouſie of God.

And he gives the reaſon; The firſt Adams Eve was corrupted from her virgin righteouſneſs, and ſo may the ſecond Adams eſpouſed virgin (the Corinthian Church) be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. Eve by the Serpent which was Satanae leno, the Devils pander. The Corinthians by ſuch Preachers as he deſcribes to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , 2. Cor. 2 17. Corrupters of the Word, as huckſters by their mixtures do jugulare vinum, adulterate the viginity of good wine.

In theſe words you may conſider two things:

1 The object of the Apoſtle his fear.

2 The inſtance or example, whence he draws a ſimilitude, ſhewing the way and meanes of accompliſhing that he feares.

1 The thing he feares is the corruption and conſtupration of this eſpouſed virgin, which corruption he deſcribes,

1 By the ſeat of it, the minde, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 leſt your mindes be corrupted, for the foul veſſell corrupts the pureſt liquor, corruption begins in the minde, as they ſay the fiſh begins to ſtink at the head, and we know defluxions from the head corrupt the vitals and lower region.

2 The term a quo is the ſimplicity or chaſtity that is towards Chriſt, which they had before, and which is required in them that are eſpouſed to Chriſt Jeſus, who are then corrupted, when they generate and deviate from their ſimplicity of faith and worſhip; for, we cannot ſay of any of theſe virgins eſpouſed to Chriſt, as was ſaid of that virgin, the mother of our Lord, that before they came together, ſhe was found to be with child by the holy Ghoſt.

2 The inſtance or example made uſe of for deſcribing the way of corrupting the minde from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt, is the firſt and ancienteſt example in the world, leſt by any meanes as the Serpent beguiled Eve, &c. This part of the Text contains the ſicut and ſic the As, So, and there are foure things in it.

As the Serpent, that is, Satan in his inſtrument; for the Devil appears not in his own colours, the Serpent doth not alwayes weare the ſame ſlough or skin, the Devil ſheaths himſelf in a fit caſe for his purpoſe, for he is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 unſociable with man; therefore hath his miniſters, ver. 15. deceitful workers, falſe Apoſtles, and theſe inſtruments he puts on, he tempts the proud by, ye ſhall be as Gods, the ſenſual by the promiſe, liberty, & ſome by oſtentation of holineſs; for, there is a Phariſaical, a monaſticall, a ſuperſtitious holineſs, a holineſs of mans making, he tempts Chriſt by Peter, Come behinde me, Satan.

2 The Serpent beguiled the woman Eve, for the woman by the Serpent, the man by the woman, the ſtronger by the weaker veſſel, the husband by the wife; as the Angler takes the ſmall fiſh by a worm, and then that ſmall fiſh taken doth become a bait for the greater fiſh; ſo it is ſaid of his agents they lead captive ſilly women, they deceive the hearts of the ſipmle, Rom. 16. 18

3 The way of the Serpents deceiving the woman, was by corrupting of her minde, ſee its the Apoſtles obſervation, 1 Tim. 2. 14. that not the man, but the woman was deceived, becauſe ſhe believed that God had enviouſly ſet them in a lower Orbe than they might be in, if they eate of the fruit of that tree of knowledge.

4 This deceiving of the woman was by ſubtilty, as it appears by many reſpects, wherein the ſerpent prevaricated the words of God, and perverted their meaning, this ſubtilty or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Cogging of the dice is aſcribed to deceivers, Eph. 4. 14.

The ſum is,

The Goſpel-ſtate of the Church is called a new Creation: I create a new heavens and a new earth; in this new creation God hath ſet forth another Adam Jeſus Chriſt, out of this Adam dying, as out of the firſt ſleeping, God hath formed a Church, this Church is eſpouſed to the Lord Chriſt, as Eve was to the firſt as a chaſte virgin, and there are Serpents now, as there was one then, that attempt the corrupting of the virginity of this Church; and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, But I fear, &c.

From the firſt part of the text, the thing feared, I take up two Doctrines.

1 The ſimplicity that is in Chriſt, is to be holden untainted.

2 The corruption of the minde is the cauſe of deviation, or receſs from that ſimplicity.

I begin with the firſt.

The virgin chaſtity of the ſoul eſpouſed to Chriſt Jeſus, which loves not to be painted with any Fucus of meretricious gaudineſs, ſimpleneſs or ſimplicity in vulgar ſpeech, and ſometimes in Scripture ſounds towards fooliſh credulity or want of wit.

But in the true notion of the word it ſignifies a freedom from compoſition, and ſo we call the ſimplicity of Gods being, which is without all compoſition.

Moſt commonly it is a freedom from mixture of heterogeneal things which might adulterate purity. In Doctrine unlearnedneſs, in faith unfainedneſs in love ſincerity, in worſhip chaſtity, in life and converſation integrity, do make up that we call ſimplicity of Chriſt, which I ſhall comdendiate into theſe three.

1 Simplicity of Doctrine. 2 Of Worſhip. 3 Of life.

1 The ſimplicity of Chriſt was perſonal; for being in the form of God, he emptied himſelf, and took on him the form of a ſervant, Phil. 2. 6.

Official, in the acting of offices of his Prieſt, Prophet, and King, in great ſimplicity.

Doctrinal, in the preaching of the Goſpel.

Converſionall, in the deportment of his life.

But now I ſpeak of the ſimplicity of his Doctrine, the Doctrine of the Goſpel which is a miſtery that exceeds in glory, 2 Cor. 3. 9. and which the Angels ſtoop down to pry into, and yet is in contempt as fooliſhneſs with the wiſdom of this world that wch is a quinteſſence above al clementary learning, and tranſcendent above every predicament, hath been entertained with Stand thou here, or ſit under my footſtool; whereas that which the Apoſtle calls vain Philoſophy, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , ſcience falſly ſo called, hath been entertained with Sit thou here in a good place. The Doctrine of which you are born, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , incorruptible ſad, and which you are nouriſhed by, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , ſincere milk, which denotes ſimplicity. Chriſt for righteouſneſs, Chriſt for a root on whom the branches do live dependingly, for the root beares them, and derivingly, for the root feeds them is the ſum of this doctrine.

Here is no mixture of Jewiſh rites, as if we would look for Chriſt in that manger wherein he lay when he was a babe; the bird is now hatcht, and the eggſhel lies empty.

Here is no corrival of mans works to ſpoile this ſimplicity, there remains no place for them, as they are meritorious, for that ſets them in the chair of Chriſt; nor as they are motives of God to juſtifie, for that ſets them in the place of freegrace, nor as conditions of the Covenant, for that ſets them in the place of faith, but as they are fruits of holineſs, for that ſets them in their own place, aſſigned to them by this Doctrine.

2 Simplicity of worſhip, which is called ſpirit, and truth Job. 4. 23. not Judaicall and ſhadowiſh, not Samaritan & idolatrous, but ſpiritual and inward.

The Apoſtle calls the Jewiſh types, which were rich, beggarly Elements, we have them in the rich plainneſs of the Goſpel. In matter of worſhip, that of Auſtin is the truth, and Socrates had ſeen it before, colendus eſt quomodo ſe colendum praeceperit, as himſelf hath commanded.

Thoſe that were mint-maſters of worſhip, uſed to feign correſpondence with ſome deity, that under that reputation they might vend off their devices.

God muſt ſtamp that worſhip as ſhall be currant, man is apt to indulge his eye in Gods worſhip; It's the hardeſt thing (ſaith one) to leave our eye and fancie behind us (as Abraham did his ſervants, when we go up into the monnt to ſacrifice.) The ſpiritual part of religion, is the hardeſt part.

If we look into Juſtin Martyr, and ſee how the dreſſe of worſhip was changed, by degrees we ſhal finde, that it became at length quaſi reductus in Eccleſiam Judaiſmus, unbecoming the purity of this virgin.

3 The ſimplicity of life; It was an excellent teſtimoniall ſubſcribed by the Apoſtle his conſcience, 2 Cor. 1. 2. that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, we have had our converſation in this world.

The form of godlineſs, is but a Mathematicall body, conſiſting of lineaments onely: Religion is practicall and alwayes married to honeſty and righteouſneſs towards men; religious diſhoneſty is worſe than a Chriſtian married to a Heathen; in the times we live, that ſaying is too true, univerſus mundus exercet hiſtrioniam, all men almoſt diſguiſe and act parts.

Men either make it a ſtalking horſe to their own game, a footſtool to their ends, a covert of gold for their filthy deſignes, or lodge it onely in the cock-loft of a cold brain, and not in the warme room of affections.

And the ſimplicity of Chriſt, is broken into a multiplicity of ſenſes and wayes.

Let this Point for uſe recommend to Miniſters and people both the ſimplicity of Chriſt.

1 To the Miniſtery; for though this be not a place to teach them, yet it is a place to teach you what to ſay, and what to expect of Archippus, videlicet the ſimplicity of Chriſt both in the matter and manner of the delivery of this Doctrine.

1 Simplicity for the matter of the Doctrine, I am not aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt, ſaith he that had ſitten at the feet of Gamaliel; for (though that of Juſtin Martyr be true, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , All truth ſpoken by Plato or Ariſtotle is ours, and that which is true in Philoſophy; is true alſo in every place; yet) it is of the ſeed of the Word, quod Chriſtus naſcitur in corde auditorum.

We muſt ſet bread before hungry ſouls, and not be like the School-men, that ſet men upon gnawing hard ſtones.

All learning may be ſpent upon the ſimplicity of the Goſpell.

In breaking down ſtrong holds, meeting with ſubtilty of mens hearts, raiſing up the dejected Spirit proſtrate under ſin, counter-mining the methods and ſtratagems of the Devill, and you will finde that the old Adam in mens hearts is too hard for young Melancthon, and who is ſufficient for theſe things?

2 Simplicity for manner of delivery for painted glaſſe is more gaudy, but cleer glaſs tranſmits more light, the rule is to clothe ſpiritual things with ſpiritual words 1 Cor. 2. 13.

Its vain oile that's ſpent in ſtrong lines, that hang together, as ſand without time, ſtanding together as letters in the Hebrew, one not touching another.

Let a crucified Chriſt be preacht in a crucified Phraſe, and though you preach not with embroidery of ſilver and gold, yet ſurge & ambula, if you make the hearer ariſe and walk, its farre the better.

It is not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , to divide the Word a right (a word taken from culling up of the ſacrifices) to ſhred the intrals into mince meat, or to put the text to death and torment, ſo as to make the people eat the fleſh with the blood; Keep the true pattern of wholſom words.

The People

Are exhorted to hold faſt this threefold ſimplicity of Chriſt in Doctrine worſhip, and converſation.

In Doctrine; All Scipture centers in, and looks to Chriſt, both Old Teſtament and New as the Cherubims to one another, and both to the mercy ſeat; he was then ſwathed up in types, he is now unvaled in a rich plainnes of the Goſpel, thoſe precious ſtones which God promiſes to build his Church, Iſa. 54. 13. Do all come but to this, All thy children ſhall be taught of God.

In worſhip, ſpirit and truth are better than Jeruſalem and this mountain, therefore be ſatisfied in ſimplicity of Goſpel-ſacraments, which as Dupleſſis obſervs, have been made by men, the port-gates of ſuperſtition and curioſity, becauſe the eye hath ſomewhat to do in them, as corruption began at the tree in Paradiſe, and came in by the eye.

In life, that your voice be not onely ſmooth, and hands rough; for practical holineſs is the life of religion, elſe we may have golden heads, and feet of clay.

To conclude, let it be our joynt aime, the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt, and be not too indulgent to your ears, which hath ſometime been the vanity of hearers of thoſe Sermons at Pauls, coming hither for Jewels to hang in their ears, rather then for wholſom Bread.

Let not the tree of Knowledge be preferred before the tree of life, leſt when you come to die, you cry out with Craeſus, Solon, Solon, who had before time taught him of bleſſedneſs without regard.

There is ſuch multiplicity of opinions, that moſt men count it impoſſible to reduce the ſwarm into one hive, eſpecially becauſe men uſually lay ſo much weight, every man upon his own opinion, not conſidering that the kingdom of God conſiſts not in meat and drink, but righteouſneſs and peace and joy in the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 14. 17. Hence it is that one unchurches another, and unchriſts another, & ſolos credit habendos eſſe deos quos ipſe colit, as the Poet anciently leaves the queſtion about the bigneſs, diſtance, motion of the Sun, to Mathematicians, thou mayeſt have as much benefit by the Sun, as they that altercare about them.

Above all things lay not the foundation of your communion in the agreement one of another with you in all your private opinions, that's a principle that will divide the Church in ſemper diviſibilia, that makes the foundation of the houſe of the twig of a tree, not of the body.

And peradventure, as there are not two of a hundred of one face, ſo not of one opinion in all things extrinſecal, nay haply, ſaith a learned man, not Peter and Paul.

Certa ſunt in paucis, (ſaith Tertullian) fundamentals are few, they that make too many of them, make the fewer Chriſtians, if a man hold faſt the ſimplicity of Chriſt in Doctrine, worſhip, life; though not admitted into your fellowſhip, yet they will be in your Communion through Chriſt, whether you will or no.

Doct. 2d.

The Corruption of the mind is the cauſe of deviation, or receſs from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt.

This Point gives occaſion to entreat of the cortuption of the minde; the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ſometimes ſignifies plots, devices, 2 Cor. 2. 11 ordinarily the reaſonings, apprehenſion, judgement, the leading faculty of the ſoule, which is the ſubject and ſeat of this corruption.

This is not meant of natural corruption, which is a part of original ſin, for it is the corruption of Goſpel-truth formerly received, eſpecially doctrinall corruption: and therefore the Apoſtle having ſaid; Chriſt, the ſame yeſterday, to day and for ever; preſently adds, Be not carried away by divers and ſtrange Doctrines, Heb. 13. 9.

The Text affords me three things, for the oopening of this Point.

1 The corruption of minde here feared, is of them that have received the virgin truth; a ſad thing that they that bloſſom ſo faire, ſhould be blaſted or cankered; it is not corruption of life he feares, but of minde; many are tainted in their intellectuals, that make a fair ſhew in morals; the Apoſtle propheſies of a time that will come, That men will not indure ſound doctrine (they will not imbrace, nay, they will not indure it) but will turn away their eares from the truth, and be turned to fables, 2 Tim. 4. 3.

2 This corruption of minde is to be feared, both by Miniſters for the flock, and alſo by parents and maſters, yet there are few, as wofull experience ſhews us; and therefore young men, and unballaſt are negligently ſuffered without bridle to ruſh into the infection, as if it was nothing to have the leproſie in the head, to make ſhip wrack of faith, to corrupt the ſimplicity of Chriſt to beare that fearfull brand, 2 Tim. 3. 8. men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith, The light of the body (ſaith out Saviour) is the eye. If that be ſingle, the whole body is full of light; if evill, the 〈1 page missing〉 bed is full of darkneſs, the minde is the Pilot or Steerſ-man, and if we weigh truths at a falſe beame, we may take and miſtake the moſt deſperate errour for the moſt precious truth.

3 The firſt point or ſtep of receſs and of deviation from the ſimplicity of Chriſt, is the corruption of minde, how many ſtairs do men fall? how many floores high, untill they fall even into Atheiſme, from a zealous profeſſion? A reprobate mind is the puniſhment of a corrupt mind, Ro. 1. 28 They did not like to retein God in their knowledge, therefore God gave them over to a reprobate minde: therefore we had need to keep principles pure; for the cloud, that at firſt ſhowes, but like a mans hand may ſuddenly overſpread the whole heaven.

The cauſes of this corruption of minde, are theſe and ſuch like.

1 The minde being the upper region, is corrupted from the lower region, paſſions, luſts, intereſts by ends, do bribe the minde to be advocate for errour, and miſ-biaſſe the judgement; the ſtaffe that is ſtreight of it ſelf, ſeems crooked in the water, by refraction of the ſpecies, or duplicity of the medium; and we know that our eye or brain is diſtempered by ſuffuſions of choler, &c. from a foule ſtomack.

2 Ungroundedneſs in the truth, betrays the minde to deceit and errour; and empty barne is ſoon blown down; oh, that our people were ſo ungrounded in Catechiſtical doctrine, which is indeed the reaſon, that they are an eaſie prey to all kinde of Sectaries, and do cedere occupanti (as I may ſay) fall to the firſt occupant.

3 A meer notion, which is like light without heat, a winter-ſnow, a thing without ſenſe, and feeling of any powerfull operation, and work of truth upon the heart is but a ſlender guard from this corruption of the minde; a man without much adoe recedes from barren notions; he that feels the warmth and power is not eaſily changed; they did not receive the truth with love of the truth, and therefore God gave them up to efficacy of errour, 2 Theſſ. 2. 10.

4 A ſatiety or diſlike of ſaving doctrine: when novelty is preferred, becauſe it's new, and ancient truth, like an old Miniſter, now adayes is leſſe regarded; the ſtomack is crude and queaſie, and ſo reliſhes traſh better then wholſome food.

5 The letting looſe of wilde reaſon to diſpute out faith; reaſon is but a Dwarf, too low to behold Chriſt, except it climbe into the fig-tree, and go let ſober men be content with that which is ſo frequently ſaid, It's written.

6 Pride of knowledge is very dangerous; the ancient pride is this, and the Apoſtle thus expreſſes it, Eccleſ. 2. 18. being vainly pufft up in his fleſhly minde.

7 Unſuſpitious credulity of others eminent in appearance of holineſs, doth at unawares enwrap many well meaning men: The Novatians would not admit lapſed men to communion. The Donatiſts would not beare with mixture in their Churches as they pretended; both theſe ſorts of men did bear a plauſible ſhew of holineſſe in their opinions; but God doth not approve a holineſſe of mans making; for that which is indeed holineſſe muſt have upon it Gods ſuperſcription.

Uſe.

For the Uſe of this Doctrine, let me beſpeak you in the words of S. Peter, Epiſt. 2. Cap. 3. Verſ. penult. Take heed, lest being led away by the errour of the wicked, (or of lawleſſe men) ye fall from your own ſtedfaſtneſſe. This Caveat I might enforce upon you from divers Topicks or places; as namely, the dangerouſneſſe of this diſeaſe which ſeizes on the head, from whence (as ſaith the Greek Proverb) the fiſh doth firſt begin to be corrupted, as alſo from the eaſineſſe of being infected, and from the difficulty of the cure: but having ſpoke enough of the firſt of theſe, I will onely uſe a few words concerning the two latter.

1 It's as eaſie to be infected, as it is for ſheep to catch the rot by feeding in rotten paſtures; and our experience ſhews us, that one that angles with ſuch baits, catches more fiſh in a week, than preaching of Chriſt, and the ſimplicity of him will catch in ſome yeers, for errour hath ſomething in us, as he that gave the reaſon for the faſter growth of weeds than ſweet herbs, ſaid that the ſoile was naturall mother to the one, and but ſtep-mother to the other.

2 There is no ſimplicity of truth, a multiplicity of errour; the ſtreight line between point and point can be but one; the oblique lines, many; therefore it is eaſie to hang upon one tenter-hook or other, that look ſo many and even contrary wayes.

3 Errour is many times more ſpecious to our ſhallow, proud, corrupt reaſon, than the truth of God, whoſe depths and myſteries cannot otherwiſe be anſwered, then with, Tu quis es?

4 The mint-maſters of errour do uſually faſhion their doctrines to fleſh-pleaſing, and man-pleaſing; ye ſhall not eaſily finde that falſe prophets did preach the burdens of the Lord, but rather as Peter obſerves, 2 Pet. 2. 19. they promiſe liberty, which is ſo taking a thing, that looking humanely, we may wonder that Chriſt preaching repentance, ſelf-deniall, the croſſe, ſhould gain any.

So much for the eaſineſs of being infected; then next a word for the difficulty of the cure.

1 The cure is difficult, becauſe men are hard to be convinced of the ſin and falſhood, if with zeal & open profeſſion they have maintained it; therefore they in the Council of Trent (as the hiſtory relates) would hardly be drawn to admit of any receſs from their former errours, ne viderentur erraſſe, leſt they might ſeem to have erred, and ſo weaken the credit of all they held before, as the crack made in Ice, uſeth to runne further, then where it is firſt made.

But if in puniſhment upon them that receive not the truth in love, God do give men up to efficacy of errour, or do otherwiſe recompence their errour, by delivering them up to vile affections and luſts, Rom. 1. 27. who ſhall then pull off that fearfull ſeal of God, that ſeals them up in ſtupidity, and under a reprobate minde.

2 Therein men are great lovers of their own fancies; Amat quiſque quod a ſe repertum eſt, no mother but loves her own babe.

3 A conceit that errors of minde are not ſin, as morall ſins are, but there are diſeaſes of the head, as well as ſeated in other parts.

And certainly, theſe capitall diſtempers do great prejudice to practicall holineſs, being like ſuckers that bear no fruit, but do divert and draw away the ſap from the fruit-bearing branches.

So much for the firſt part, the object of the fear, leſt the mindes of the Corinthians ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity of Chriſt: the ſecond part is the reſemblance of falſe teachers to the ſerpent, and this manner of beguiling Eve by ſubtilty, leſt as the ſerpent, &c.

From which words the Point is obvious.

Doct. 2.

As Eve was beguiled by the ſubtilty of the ſerpent, ſo are mens mindes corrupted by falſe teachers from the ſimplicity of Chriſt; Falſe Doctors; Satanae lenones, ſaith one, they are Satans inſtruments, as the ſerpent was, the Devil his Pandors, worſting to the deflowering of Chriſts eſpouſed Virgins.

The wiſdome of the ſerpent is commanded and warranted to Gods people, the ſubtilty of the ſerpent is found in theſe ſubverters of the chaſtity of Doctrine; I cannot, I may not ſpend any time in this point, for I have no ſand left; onely obſerve,

1 That the defection, the corruption of men principled with pure doctrine is feared. Goſpelprinciples are not ſo much to be ſcanned by curioſitie of reaſon, as received in ſimplicity of faith

2 The Apoſtle alledges the moſt ancient example of corruption of minde that is in the world; that which men call New Light is many times but ſome exploded errour furbiſht up, and old wayes are but acted once again. There is properly no new truth, but there may be new diſcoveries.

3 What a ſharp compariſon doth he uſe to reſemble falſe teachers? unto the devil his firſt inſtrument uſed by him; and therefore let no man temeraciouſly ſay, they are holy men, they aime at more refined degree of holineſſe then others: for it's no wonder, ſaith the Apoſtle, that if Satan be transformed into an Angel of light, his Miniſters alſo be transformed or diſguiſed, as the Miniſters of righteouſneſſe.

4 The Serpent took Eve at the beginning, and ſubtilly raviſht her of her integrity, we muſt look to our ſelves; it's the uſual time to ſet upon us in our infancy of knowledge, either to diſgrace the truth newly brought to light, or to diſplant it before it do take root.

5 That corrupters come with ſubtilty, and have their ſlights, Epheſ. 4. 14. they come with good words, Rom. 16. 17. they beguile with enticing words, Col. 2. 4. they ſpeak lies in hypocriſie: 1 Tim. 4. 2. they can wear the rough garment, and ſheeps cloathing.

Their ſubtilty may be obſerved in the Serpentine which they imitate.

1 The ſerpent ſet upon the weaker ſex, and the Apoſtle ſaith, they lead captive ſilly women.

2 They are ſubtil in being modeſt at firſt, mi •• erroris ſunt verecunda, Hath God ſaid, Gen. 3. ſa • the ſerpent, the deceiver begins with queries rath •• then down-right aſſertions.

3 They will take their riſe from Gods Word, and rather wreſt then deny it, as the ſerpent here perverted thoſe words, the knowledge of good and evil, to another ſenſe and meaning.

4 They promiſe magnificent and great things, they promiſe them liberty, ſaith Peter. 2 Pet. 2. 18. Ye ſhall be as gods, ſaith the ſerpent, what great bubbles are uſually ſpoken of glory, joy, familiarity with God, &c.

5 They comply with mans pride, with ſelf, &c. and fit the bait to the fiſh. They allure through the luſts of the fleſh, &c. 2 Pet. 2. 18.

6 They draw a man from practical obedience unto extrinſecal, and meer empty ſpeculations (for the theorie is pleaſant and eaſie, but the truth is bitter

7 They bring points of faith, to thebar & teſt of captious reaſon: God in the prohibition of this tree, had ſhewn much arbitrarineſs of will, to make probation of mans obedience, & therefore they ought not to have been arraigned coram non Judice, as neither the cleer points of faith.

The time puls me by the eare, and therefore for cloſe, as deceivers have the Serpents ſubtilty, ſo get you the Serpents wiſdom, and if I were to preſcribe prophylacticks or preſervatives I would exhort you, 1 To hold the head, and ſo to fortifie the vitals from this epidemick infection, Col. 2. 19. 2 To purſue practicall doctrine, ſolid meat, and let alone theſe ſweet meats; the tree of knowledge is fair to look on, the tree of life better to feed on. 3 Affect not things above the Word, a holineſs, a zeal, a knowledge, above what is written: Eve went ſome what further then Gods Word gave warrant when ſhe replied, neither ſhall ye touch it: ſo there are many will ſay, This is the holier way, this is the better, not having any Word for it. 4. Avoid the houſe of infection, the Fowlers net, From ſuch turn away, ſaith the Scripture, if the woman will confer with the Serpent; you ſee what comes on it, it's the itch and pride after novelties that expoſes us to temptations.

FINIS.