entertain opinions, as some entertain suitors, not that they mean to marry them, but cast them oft' as soon as new ones come. Never was there a more giddy age than ours. What is said of fashion-mongers, that some men, should they see their pictures in that habit which they wore a few years past, woukl hardly know themselves in their present garb, it is most ti'uc in regard of their opinions ; should many that have been great professors take a view of their religious principles a dozen years ago, and compare them with their present, they would be found not the same men. They have so chopped and changed, that they seem to have forsaken their old faith. Not that the old which they renounce was false, or the new which they espouse is true ; but because they were either ignorant of the truth they first professed, or were insincere in the profession of it ; and it is no wonder that the one should upon easy tenns part with that, which he first took upon as weak grounds as now he leaves it ; or that the other, who did not love or impi'ove the truth he professed, slwuld be given up of God to change it for an error. If the heathen, who did not glorify God with the light of nature they had, were righteously given up to a reprobate, injudicious mind to do that which was inconvenient, and morally absurd ; then they who dishonour God with the revealed light of Scripture truth much more deserve that they should be given up to that which is spiritually wicked, even to believe lies and errors for truth. A heavy curse, did we rightly judge of it, to wander and wilder in a maze of error, and yet think they are walking in the way of truth.
Quest. But, may some say. How is it possible that ordinary professors should attain to this established judgment in the truth, when we see many of great parts and eminency much unsettled in their judgments ?
Answ. We must distinguish, first, of persons ; secondly, of truths. First, of persons ; there are many eminent for parts, whose parts want piety to establish them, and no wonder to see wanton wits unfixed in the truths of God. None sooner topple over into error, than such who have not an honest heart to a nimble head. The richest soil, without culture, is most tainted with such weeds. They have been men of unsanctified parts, that have been the leaders in the way of error, though the more simple and weak that are led by them. They are knowing men, which first disgorge and vomit error from their coiTiipt hearts, and ignorant ones that lick it up. And therefore despair not of an established judgment so long as thou dcsirest to have an honest, upright heart, and conscientiously useth the means. The promise is on thy side, Psa. cxi. 10: * The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and a good understanding have they that do his commands.'
Secondly, We must distinguish of truths ; some are fundamental, others are superstructory ; now though many eminent for piety as well as parts are in the dark concerning some of the superstructory, and more circumstantial, because mysteriously laid down in the word, yet there is a sweet harmony among the godly in fundamentals. And in those, poor soul, thou mayest come by a faithful use of means to be established. As for our bodies, God hath so provided, that things necessary to preserve their life are more common, and to be had at a cheaper rate, than things for delicacy and state. So also for our souls. If bread were as hard to come by as sweetmeats, or water as scarce as wine, the greatest part of men must needs famish ; so if truths necessary to salvation were as hard to be understood, and cleared from the Scriptures, as some others, many poor weak-hearted Christians would certainly perish without a miracle to help them. But the saving truths of the gospel lie plain, and run clear to all, but those who muddy the streams with their own corrupt minds.
CHAPTER III.
SOME DIRECTIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHING THE JUDGMENT OF PROFESSORS IN
THE TRUTH.
Quest. But what counsel can you give me towards the establishing of my judgment in the truths of Christ ?
Ans. 1 . First, let thy aim be suicere in embracing of truths ; a false, naughty heart, and an unsound judgment, like ice and water, are produced mutually by one another. The reason of the fickleness of some men's judgments proceeds
21^ HAVING YOUR LOINS