Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

To assist those whose hearts the Lord shall bow over to mind this excellent work, I shall lay before them two Directions. (1.) They must carefully avoid all those things, that have a proper tendency to alienate their minds, and affections from the Gospel, or to exasperate them against ⟨image 132⟩it. (2.) They must endeavour to use such means, and to take such courses, as have an aptitude to beget in them an esteem, and veneration for the Gospel, and so dispose them to embrace it.

1. They who design, and endeavour to win upon others, and to dispose them for the Reception of the Gospel, must carefully avoid all such things, as have an aptitude to alienate them from it. I shall exemplify this Direction in some instances; as,

1. They who design, and endeavour to win upon others, and to dispose them for the Reception of the Gospel, must carefully avoid all such things, as have an aptitude to alienate them from it. I shall exemplifie this Direction in some instances; as,

1. Private Christians must prevent, or suppress all bitter contentions among themselves. It is sad to observe, That differences among Brethren are usually managed with such mutual accusations, and reproaches, as make the name of Christians despicable, or odious, especially to those, who are prejudiced against them. Contentions and Animosities among Christians break out, on two Occasions. (1.) There may Quarrels arise, about Earthly things. What can Heathens think of them, when they see them to malign, and worry one another, for such things, as their own Philosophy hath taught them, to make little account of? Abraham was very apprehensive of the evil consequences, that might have attended the strife between his, and Lots Herdsmen, probably, about their pasturage, or watering-places, and therefore he would not insist upon such pleas as he might reasonably have alleged on his own side, but stifled the contention, and sought an amicable composure, because he dreaded the scandal which would have been given to the Heathen, by their brabbles. This is suggested,