much zeale in their way, yet prove but unskilfull in the chiefe do∣ctrines
of Christian religion, defective in the power of true godli∣nesse,
in the mortifying of corruptions, such as pride, impatience,
self-conceitednesse, rashnesse, covetousnesse; and in the practice of
righteousnesse, mercy, meeknesse, diligence in their own businesse
and the like; in the provoking one another to love and good works.
8. On the contrary, the word of God though soundly and truly
delivered, is neglected, being either not heard, or without fruit,
when it is spoken by such a Teacher as they affect not, but disdai∣ned,
censured, contemned. The prejudice against one, through com∣parative
extolling of another, causeth the teaching of the sleighted
person, though orthodox, holy, learned, to be passed over, to be cen∣sured
as barren, dry, hungry stuffe, though it be the true word of
God, as if no teaching were wholesome meate, but such as is wet
with their affected Teachers spittle, I meane his phrase, method,
action, elocution; as if fides aestimanda esset ex personis, non perso∣nae
ex fide, as Tertullians phrase is, or as if our faith stood not in
the power of God, but in the wisedome of men, as the Apostle
speakes, 1 Cor. 2, 5.
9. By this meanes the rule of Christianity is changed; for where∣as▪
the rule and ground of our faith and obedience is the word of
God as Gods word, through the addicting themselves to some
mens authority, Gods truth stands at their devotion for its accep∣tance:
hence they that of old gloried in the Pharisees as their Rab∣bins,
regarded not Gods commands, but as pleased the Pharisees,
and they that this day glory in the Pope, or the Church as they call
it, regard the Scriptures so farre only as the Pope or Church allow
them, and they that depend on their magnified Teachers of any
other sort, doe regard the word of God, but as it beares their image,
or comes from their mint; and so as it was said of the heathens al∣lowing
or disallowing of gods by their Senates decree, Deus non
erit Deus, nisi homo velit, God shall not be God, unlesse man will;
it may be said in this case, Gods word shall not be Gods word, un∣lesse
man will.
10. Lastly, They that glory in men, are either inconstant in their
affections, as experience often shewes, they that one while would
pluck out their eyes for him whom they magnifie, will at another
time revile and hate him: for mens minds are mutable, and the
best of men are but men, that is, imperfect, and will be so found,