ANd now Saul what think you of the Cavils that have puzled and troubled you? Have you heard any thing that should change your mind?

I have heard that from you that confirmeth and satisfieth me: But I have heard that from L. which grieveth my very soul, 1. To think what temptations and perplexing tryals poor ignorant Religious people are assaulted by, and how hard a thing it must needs be for such to escape deceit and sin, and great distractions. 2. To think in how sad a condition the Church of God is, that besides what they suffer from men Page  262 of Violence, and the flatteries of the World, must be thus troubled and ensnared by men of high professions of Religion, and even drawn to corrupt the Word of God, and almost to preach another Gospel. 3. And that ever men of such professions should be guilty of so much evil: We to the World because of offences, and wo to them by whom they come.

Alas! it is no new thing: Do you not remember that Paul had such and worse to deal with. Read Gal. 1. & 3 & 4. Read Rev. 2. & 3. Jude, & 2 Pet. 2. & James 2. & 3. & Acts 15, &c. and you will see, that even those purest times when they had Apostolical Gifts and Authority to restrain and settle them, were yet thus tryed and troubled by men of high pretensions, so that Paul wisheth that they were cut off that trou∣ble them; and Christ proclaimeth the hatred of his soul against the Do∣ctrine of the Nicolaitans; and Paul tells the Corinthians, that Heresies must be among them, that those which are approved may be manifested among them; and the Ephesians, Acts 20. 30. that of their own selves should men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away Disciples after them. And ever since in all Ages to this day, the Church hath been as Christ on the Cross, between two Thieves, between the Tyrannical and the Superstitious Heretical dividing sort of professed Christians. But hold fast plain primitive SIMPLICITY and serious PRACTICE of a sober, righteous, godly and peaceable life, and you will get safe through all such snares.