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men; fo neutrality in religion, is odious in the fight of God. It is the temper of an enemy. pretends not to hurt the truth, but neither will he help her. Heaven-born as fhe is, fhe can have no

lodging under his roof. through as with a dagger,

He will not thrust her neither will he ftretch Marred as her visage is,

out his hand to her help. rueful her looks, and loud her cry; he will have none of her. Befriend her who will, he will not. -He is an enemy, therefore, and with fuch he fhall one day be led forth.

SE C T. V.

The Romish Enemy comes in like a Flood, in respect of Heretical Doctrine, Idolatrous Worship, and Tyrannical Government.

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THE

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HE Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood, in three refpects; viz. in herefy in doctrine, idolatry in worship, and tyranny government. Herefy overthrows the foundation of faith; idolatry entirely corrupts the purity of worship; and tyranny deftroys the true kingdom of Chrift.' (Turret.) But of these more particularly in their order.

All

1. The Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood in refpect of heretical doctrine. Herefy is of a deeper dye, than other errors. herefy is error, but every error is not herefy: as every disease is not fatal, nor peftilentious. A man may.err in doctrine, and yet be faved. The apoftle fays, If any man build upon the foundation that

word for him, who flew, as on the wings of love, to lay down his life for them! He foretold what the experience of ages has often, fied, because iniquity fhall abound, fball wax cold, Matth. xxiv. 12.

very often veri

the love of many The enemy com

ing in like a flood, quencheth the love of multitudes. The loaves being ended, so is their love. If the garb of godliness any how incumber them, they can drop it in a trice. As one impiously said, They will not launch fo far into the fea of religion, but that they may safely return to fhore. They are too fenfible to be zealous, too wife to burn: having more of the ferpent than of the dove. They wade in fenfuality, instead of holding fast the profeffion of their faith without wavering. They halt as between two opinions. If their merchandise, or their farm profper, they give themfelves no pain concerning the ark of God, no; not though it fhould be among the hands of infidels. If the former go well, their hearts rejoice; but the utmost danger of the latter never makes them tremble. They can dwell in their ceiled houses, while the temple is in ruins. They are at ease in Zion; and are not grieved for the afflictions of Jofeph, Amos vi. 1,-6. Such a temper prevailing, is an infallible indication, that the enemy is come in like a flood.-Nothing is more hateful in the eyes of a holy and a jealous God. If a church, leaving her first love, be threatened with the removal of her candlestick, what can a lukewarm Laodicea expect? Let the careless read and tremble: Because thou art neither cold nor hot, I will fpue thee out of my mouth, faith the Lord,. Rev. iii. 16. As neutrals can be relied on by no fet of

He

men; fo neutrality in religion, is odious in the fight of God. It is the temper of an enemy. pretends not to hurt the truth, but neither will he help her. Heaven-born as fhe is, fhe can have no

lodging under his roof. through as with a dagger,

He will not thrust her neither will he ftretch Marred as her visage is,

out his hand to her help. rueful her looks, and loud her cry; he will have none of her. Befriend her who will, he will not. -He is an enemy, therefore, and with fuch he fhall one day be led forth.

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The Romish Enemy comes in like a Flood, in refpect of Heretical Doctrine, Idolatrous Worship, and Tyrannical Government.

THE

HE Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood, in three refpects; viz. in he refy in doctrine, idolatry in worship, and tyranny in government. 'Herefy overthrows the founda

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tion of faith; idolatry entirely corrupts the purity • of worship; and tyranny deftroys the true king'dom of Chrift.' (Turret.) But of these more particularly in their order.

All

1. The Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood in refpect of heretical doctrine. Herefy is of a deeper dye, than other errors. herefy is error, but every error is not herefy: as every difeafe is not fatal, nor peftilentious. A man may.err in doctrine, and yet be faved. The apoftle fays, If any man build upon the foundation that 219911

word for him, who flew, as on the wings of love, to lay down his life for them! He foretold what the experience of ages has often, fied, because iniquity fhall abound, fball wax cold, Matth. xxiv. 12.

very often veri

the love of many The enemy com«

ing in like a flood, quencheth the love of multitudes. The loaves being ended, so is their love. If the garb of godliness any how incumber them, they can drop it in a trice. As one impiously said, They will not launch fo far into the fea of religion, but that they may fafely return to shore. They are too fenfible to be zealous, too wife to burn: having more of the ferpent than of the dove. They wade in fenfuality, instead of holding fast the profeffion of their faith without wavering. They halt as between two opinions. If their merchandise, or their farm profper, they give themfelves no pain concerning the ark of God, no; not though it should be among the hands of infidels. If the former go well, their hearts rejoice; but the utmost danger of the latter never makes them tremble. They can dwell in their ceiled houses, while the temple is in ruins. They are at ease in Zion; and are not grieved for the afflictions of Jofeph, Amos vi. 1,—6. Such a temper prevailing, is an infallible indication, that the enemy is come in like a flood.-Nothing is more hateful in the eyes of a holy and a jealous God. If a church, leaving her first love, be threatened with the removal of her candlestick, what can a lukewarm Laodicea expect? Let the careless read and tremble: Because thou art neither cold nor hot, I will fpue thee out of my mouth, faith the Lord, Rev. iii. 16. As neutrals can be relied on by no fet of

He

He will not thruft her neither will he stretch Marred as her visage is,

men; fo neutrality in religion, is odious in the fight of God. It is the It is the temper of an enemy. pretends not to hurt the truth, but neither will he help her. Heaven-born as she is, the can have no lodging under his roof. through as with a dagger, out his hand to her help. rueful her looks, and loud her cry; he will have none of her. Befriend her who will, he will not. He is an enemy, therefore, and with fuch he fhall one day be led forth.

[blocks in formation]

The Romish Enemy comes in like a Flood, in respect of Heretical Doctrine, Idolatrous Worship, and Tyrannical Government.

THE

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HE Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood, in three refpects; viz. in herefy in doctrine, idolatry in worship, and tyranny in government. Herefy overthrows the foundation of faith; idolatry entirely corrupts the purity ⚫ of worship; and tyranny deftroys the true king'dom of Chrift.' (Turret.) But of these more particularly in their order.

All

1. The Romish enemy may be faid to come in like a flood in refpect of heretical doctrine. Herefy is of a deeper dye, than other errors. herefy is error, but every error is not herefy as every disease is not fatal, nor peftilentious. man may.err in doctrine, and yet be faved. The apostle fays, If any man build upon the foundation that

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