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BOOK I. Concerning the Choice of Our Opinion Amongst the Different Sects of Christians.
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251 u B O OK I u Concerning the Choice of Our Opinion Amongst the Different Sects of Christians. Sect. I. We must enquire, amongst what Christians the true Doctrine of Christ flourisheth most at this time. Whoever reads over the Books of the New Testament with a Desire to come at the Knowledge of the Truth, and does not want Judgment, will not be able to deny, but that every one of the Marks of Truth, alleged by Hugo Grotius in his IId and IIId Books, are to be found there. Wherefore if he has any Concern for a blessed Immortality, he will apprehend it to be his Duty to embrace what is proposed to him in those Books as Matter of Belief, to do what he is commanded, and to expect what he is there taught to hope for. Otherwise, if any one should deny that he doubts of the Truth of the Christian Religion, and at the same time thinks the Doctrines, Precepts, and Promises of it not fit to be believed or obeyed in every Particular; such an one would be inconsistent with himself , and manifestly show that he is not a sincere Christian. (a) Now this is one of the Precepts of Christ and his Apostles, that we should profess ourselves the Disciples of Christ before Men, if we would have him own us for his, when he shall pass Sentence on the Quick and Dead at the last Day; and if we do not, as we have denied him to be our Master before Men, so he also, in that last Assembly of Mankind will deny us to be his a. Now this is one of the Precepts of Christ, &c.] Thus Christ saith, Matt. X. 32. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me (to be his Master) before Men, him will I confess also (to be my Disciple) before my Father which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny me (to be his Master) before Men, him will I also deny (to be my Disciple) before my Father which is in Heaven.” See also 2 Tim. II. 12. Rev. III. 5. 252 t wo books by monsieur le clerc Disciples before God. (a) For Christ would not have those that believe on him, be his Disciples privately, as if they were ashamed of his Doctrine, or as if they valued the Kindnesses, Threats, or Punishments of Men more than his Precepts, and the Promises of eternal Life; but be Christians openly and before all the World, that they may invite other Men to embrace the true Religion, and render back to God (b) that Life which they received from him, in the most exquisite Torments, if it so seem good to him, whilst they openly profess that they prefer his Precepts above all things. And thus St. Paul teaches us, that if we confess (c) with our Mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our Heart that God hath raised him from the Dead, we shall be saved; For, says he, with the Heart Man believeth unto Righteousness, and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation; for the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Which being thus, it is his Duty who thinks the Christian Religion to be true, to discover and profess boldly and without Fear this his sincere Opinion, upon all Occasions that offer themselves. And it is further necessary for him to enquire, if there be any of the same Opinion with himself, and (d ) to maintain a particular Peace and Friendship with them; for Christ tells us, this is one Mark his Disciples are to be known by, if they love one another, and perform all Acts of Love and Kindness towards each other. Moreover he exhorts them (e) to have a. For Christ would not have, &c.] Therefore he says, Mat. V. 14. “That his Disciples are the Light of the World; that a City set on a Hill cannot be hid; neither is a Candle lighted to be put under a Bushel, but set in a Candlestick that it may give Light to all that are in the House, etc.” b. That Life which they received from him, &c.] Luke XII. 4. Christ bids us not to be afraid of them that kill the Body, and after that have no more that they can do; and commands us to fear him, which after we are killed, can cast us into Hell Fire. And moreover he foretels all...