Thus the care of providence, in all ages, hath been as much displayed in protecting the church against the dangers that arose from false brethren within it, as from avowed, persecuting enemies without it ; and had it not been so, the rank weeds of heresies and errors had long since over-topt and choaked the corn, and made the church a barren field.
Observ. 12. The zvant of a modest suspicion^ and just reflection, g'ives both confidence and growth to erroneous opinions.
If matters of mere opinion were kept in their proper place, under the careful guard of suspicion, they would not make that bustle and confusion in the churches they have done, and do at this day.
It is confessed, that all truths are not matters of mere opinion ; neither are all opinions of equal weight and value ; and therefore not to be left hanging in an equipendious scepticism. And yet it is as true, that matters of opinion ought carefully to be sorted from matters of faith, and to be kept in their own rank and class, as things doubtful, guibus potest subessejulsum : whilst matters of faith clearly revealed, are to stand upon their own sure and firm basis. The former, viz. matters of mere opinion, we are so to hold, as upon clearer light to be ready to part with them, and give them up into the hands of truth. The other, viz. matters of faith, we are to hold with resolutions to live and die by them.
What is opinion, but the wavering of the understanding betwixt probable arguments, for and against a point of doctrine ? So that
436 A BLOW AT THE ROOT ; OR,
it is rather an inclination than an assertion, as being accompanied ■with fear, floating and inconstancy. In such cases, there should be a due concession and allowance of other men's opinions to them ; and why not, whilst they offer as fair for the truth as we? and haply their parts, helps, and industries are not inferior to ours ; it may be beyond them ; and we may discern in them as much tenderness of conscience, and fear of sin, as in ourselves. In this case, a little more modest suspicion in our opinions, would do the church a great deal of right ; and that which should prevail with all modest persons to exercise it, is the just reflection they may make upon their own former confident mistakes.
Obscrv. 13. There is a remarkable involution or concatenation of errors, one linking in, and draunng another after it.
Amongst all erroneous sects, there is still some Tcwrov -^z-jbog, some Helena, for whose sake the war against truth is commenced ; and the other lesser errors are pressed for the sake and service of this leading darling error. As we see the whole * troop of indidgences, bulls, masses, pilgrimages, purgatory, with multitudes more, flow from, and are pressed into the service of tlie Pope's supremacy and infallibility ; so, in other sects, men are forced to entertain many other errors, which, in themselves considered, they have no great kindness for ; but they are necessitated to entertain them in defence of that great, leading, darling opinion they first espoused.
Those that cry up, and trumpet abroad the sovereign power of free-icill, even without the preventing grace of God, enabling men to supernatural works, as if the "joill alone had escaped all damage by the fall, and Adam had not sinned in that noble virgin-faculty. To defend this idol, which is the cr^wroi/ -^ixjhoz, they are forced to oppugn and deny several other great and weighty truths, as parti- cular, eternal election, the certainty of the saints perseverance, the necessity of preventing grace in conversion : which errors are but the out- works raised in defence of that idol.
So in the baptismal controversy, men would never have adven- tured to deny God's covenant with Abraham, to be a covenant of grace ; or to assert the ceremonial law, so full of Christ, to be an Adam's covenant of works ; and circumcision, expressly called the seal of the righteousness of faith, to be the condition of Adam's co- venant. Much less would they place all the elect of God in Israel,
* n^wrcii' "vj/eyooj. The leading error of the church of Rome is, That all things must be subjected to the supreme judgment and tribunal of the church over which the Pope presides. Thence it is concluded, That all the traditions of the Romish church, and all their tenets and decrees, whether of the Popes or their councils, are to be sted- j'aiily maintained* J^rerf. Span, Elettch. Contrw. p. 51.
THE CAUSES AND CURE OF MENTAL ERRORS. 437
Hi one and the same time, under the severest curse and rigour of the law, and under the pure covenant of grace, were they not forced into these errors and absurdities by dint of argument, in de- fence of their darhng opinion.
Observ. 14. Errors abound most, and spring Jastest, in the times of the churdCs peace, liberty, and outward prosperity, under indulgent rulers. Arianism sprung up under Constantine''s mild government *.
Christian, benevolent rulers are choice mercies and blessings to the church. Such as rule over men in the fear of God, are to the church, as well as civil state, " like the light of the morning, " when the sun ariseth ; even a morning without clouds, as the '•' tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining after " rain," 2 Sam. xxiii. 4.
But this, as well as other mercies, is liable to abuse; and under the influences of indulgent governors, error, as well as truth, springs up, flowers and seeds. Persecution gives check to the wantonness of men's opinions, and finds them other and better work to do. Caterpillars and locusts are swept away by the bitter east winds, but swarm in halcyon days, and fall upon every green thing. So that the church rides, in this respect, more safely in the stormy sea, than in the calm harbour. Peace and prosperity is apt to cast its watchmen into a sleep ; and whilst they sleep, the envious one soweth tares, Matth. xiii. 25.
It was under Constantine's benign government, that poison was poured out into the churches. The abuse of such an excellent mercy provokes the Lord to cut it short, and cause the clouds to gather again after the rain. We have found it so once and again (alas, that I must say again !) in this wanton and foolish nation. Professors could live quietly together, converse, fast, and pray in a Christian manner together, under common calamities and dangers: differences in opinion are suspended by consent. But no sooner do we feel a warm, sun-blast of liberty and peace, but it revives and heats our dividing lusts and corruptions, instead of our graces. The sheep of Christ fight with each other, though their furious pushing one at another is known to presage a change of weather.
• Eusebius records, That Arius Alexandrinus began to vent his distracted heresy at Alexandria, ;n the year of our Lord o-M, and in the fifteenth year of the reign of Constantine.
438 A BLOW AT THE ilOOT ; Oil,