take all possible pains to spread their opinions; which, as you have seen, are very flattering to human pride; and it is an old saying, that flatterers are easily believed. No deep reasoning is requisite, when the treachery of your own hearts assists them in their work. You may judge, therefore, that your situation is dangerous: and when you are convinced of this, it is hoped you will be on your guard: and now I have endeavoured, as my Duty requires, to shew you what the enemies of your faith have to say in one of their pieces, you may be able to judge of the rest for yourselves. So for the present, I shall conclude with that advice of St. John-Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. A LETTER TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN AT OXFORD, INTENDED FOR HOLY ORDERS. CONTAINING SOME SEASONABLE CAUTIONS AGAINST ERRORS IN DOCTRINE. Take heed that no man deceive you. MATTH. Xxiv. 4. MATTH. XV. 14. LETTER TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN, &c. DEAR SIR, IT being the desire of your good father that you should dedicate yourself to the church, and your own sober and studious disposition being such as will enable you, with God's help, to be of some service in it; I, who have now no other motive but a desire of promoting your success in the great undertaking which is before you, should be glad to administer some little preservative against the religious errors and distempers of the present time. I am not suspicious of any evil that seems likely to arise from your own breast; but every young man, who is not more than mortal, hath great reason to be upon his guard against such as may be infused: and whether it be owing to a persuasion, that unrighteous ends cannot be compassed without the credit of a multitude, or to a love of mischief, or to any other base principle; it is a well-known and a lamentable fact, that the enemies of truth and virtue spare no pains to propagate their own manners, and |