None of these by themselves either help or hin-
der godliness or salvation. With those of Cain's
progeny, faith neither agrees in name or any thing
else : one of them eats flesh, another abstains from
it ; one wears black apparel, another white ; one
Ic^ps this day holy, and another that : every one



bashis radnnetttsy tmclerwhidi lie is in bondage: «1
df them are addk^ted to the things Ot' the worki»
which are frail and perishable. Against these Paul
speaks. Col. iL ^^ Wherefinre, if ye be dead with
Chmst from the ruAments of the world, why, as
though limg in the world, are ye sabject to oriii*
nances : touch not, taste-not, huidle not, which aB
are to perish with the using, after the command-
ments and doctrines of men. Which things hsffe
indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and hn-
mility, and neglecting of the body ; not in any ho-
nour to the satisfying of the flesh." ^^

By this and other places above mentionea, tt is
evident that numasieriei and €oUegt8j whereby we
measure the state of ^iritual me^^as we call them^
plainly disagree with the gosptil and christian liber*
ty : and therefore it is much more dangerous to ivt
in this kind of life, tiban among the most profane
men. AH their works are nothing but rudiments
and ordinances of the world; neither are they chria-
tians but in name, wberdbre all their life and holi-
ness are sinful and most detestable hypocrisy. The
fair show of feigned holiness Which is m those ord-
nances, does, in a marvellous and secret manner,
withdraw from faith, more than those manifest and
gross sins of which open sinners are guilty. Now
this false and servile o^Mnion, iaith alone takes away,
and teaches us to trust in, and rest upon, the grace
of God, whereby is given freely diat which is need*
fill to work all things.
