6.  Much knowledge doth deceive many.  They think because they can talk of religion, speak to cases of conscience, handle places of Scripture, and the like, that therefore all is right with them; when alas, that is but a slippery ground to stand upon.  The Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat, and taught sometimes sound doctrine; and yet were heart-enemies to Jesus, Matth. xxiii.  And will not many think to plead themselves into heaven, by saying, that they “have prophesied in his name,” Matth. vii. 22.  There is “a knowledge that puffeth up,” 1 Cor. xiii. 2.  Some there are whose knowledge seemeth to be operative and practical, and not merely speculative.  Some may “escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” and yet again become entangled therein and overcome; so that “their latter end is worse than the beginning;” see 2 Peter ii. 20, 21, 22.  Knowledge, I grant, is good, but it is not Christ, and so it is not the way to the Father; and many, alas! lean to it, and are deceived at last.

7.  A kind of seeming seriousness in the performance of duties, and in seeking of God, deceiveth many.  They think, because they are not conscious to their own dissembling, but they look upon themselves as earnest in what they do, that therefore all is well.  Sayeth not Christ, that not “every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God?” Matth. vii. 21; that is, not every one that reneweth their suits, and ingeminateth their desires, cry, and cry over again, and, as it were, will not give it over; and yet they come short of their expectation.  Did not the foolish virgins seem earnest and serious, when they continued waiting with the rest, and at length cried “Lord, Lord, open unto us;” and yet they are kept at the door.  Many consider not that there is a secret and close hypocrisy, that some may be under and not know it, as well as a gross hypocrisy and dissimulation, which may be easily observed; “Will not many seek to enter in that shall not be able?” Matth. vii. 13.  Luke xiii. 24.

8.  Many deceive themselves with this, that they are looked on by other godly, discerning persons and ministers, as good serious Christians, and that they carry so handsomely and so fair, that no man can judge otherways of them, than that they are good serious seekers of God.  But, alas! the day is coming which will discover many things, and many one will be deceived both of themselves and of others.  “Not he who commendeth himself is approved, but whom God approveth,” 2 Cor. x. 18.  Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy, “to study to show himself approved unto God,” 2 Tim. ii. 15.  Men look only on the outside, and cannot see into the heart; but God searcheth the heart; and it is an easy matter to deceive men, but God will not be deceived.

9.  Some may suppose themselves in a safe and sure way, if they outstrip others in religious duties, and be much in extraordinary duties, when, alas! for all that, the heart may be rotten.  “The Pharisee fasted twice a-week,” Luke xviii. 12, and yet was but an enemy to Christ.  O how deceitful is the heart of man!