That the teacher or preacher of the gospel, sent and authorized by God, may by the study of the scripture be furnished for all turns, enabled to discharge his whole duty toward the souls of others. Which may therefore stir up every man to be emulous of the best, to be sure to rid himself from these pollutions of the Gnostics; and then, as he shall be more valued by Christ, so he shall be fitter to serve him in purity and every other Christian duty. But be sure to keep thyself from all those carnal affections which younger men are most subject to; and not only those of impurity, which the Gnostics indulge and allow to all, that they may insnare them, but also contentions, and factions, and emulations, and love of glory, &c. And on the contrary, be thou an emulous and earnest pursuer and follower of innocence, fidelity, and firm charity, conjunction and agreement with all those that in purity and sincerity adhere constantly to Christ. As for those idle and unprofitable questions that are set on foot by the Gnostics, that tend to no benefit, and have nothing of true knowledge in them, keep thyself carefully from them, for they will breed debates and quarrels, and nothing else.