The reading of the Bible is, I presume (at the least) as much practic’d by those as by the generality of any other Perswasion; but they study no more than others do to understand it; and (on the contrary) are rather with greater tenaciousness so possess’d by the Sentiments and Opinions of their Teachers, as to be almost uncapable of consulting the word of God without prejudice; or observing any thing therein that is contrary to the Doctrines of their Sect:  that Analogy of Faith by which they are sure the Scriptures ought always to be interpreted; the obscurest parts whereof their Teachers insist the most upon; whence the Ignorantest Persons of these as well as the more knowing, are usually far less conversant in the plain Doctrines of Jesus Christ, than in St. Pauls difficult Epistles; which, as heretofore, many who are unlearn’d wrest to their own Destruction, tho’ their needs, I think, no skill but that of Attention to what the Apostle is speaking of, to see that he teaches none of those Doctrines which many are taught to believe he delivers to the prejudice of Morality, or good Works; but quite the contrary.

Now what help can such Instruction as this give to the subduing the corrupt Affections, and the bridling betimes the inordinate Desires and Appetites of Humane Nature, whereby Men are inabled to live like rational Creatures, and to acquit themselves well in all the Relations they shall be hereafter plac’d in, in the World?  When it does not so much as perswade them, or even allow them to think that these are the things by which they shall be judg’d at the Last Day; but substitutes in the place hereof groundless Conceits, and a presumptious, Faith, which so far teaches them to neglect Obedience as that if they pursu’d the just consequence of their own Doctrine (a thing few People do) they would have no Morality at all:  And how rarely soever these consequences are follow’d so far as they would lead Men, yet that they are too much so, is visible in that little concern which such People take (as has been now observ’d) in training up their Children betimes in the knowledge and practice of Vertue; so necessary to the making them hereafter Vertuous, that rarely are any found eminently to be so, where this means has been neglected; even many who are always very sincere in the Profession of Religion, having (thro’ the want of this early care taken of them) their Passions never subjected to their Reason; which renders them all their Lives long uneasie to themselves, and others:  Whereby also the very profession of Religion is dishonour’d, and evil spoken of.