Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

2. Be it known to you, that though your Ends be very sincere, yet God's Glory hath no need of your Intemperance. As his Truth hath no need of our Lye, so his Honour needs not the rotten pillars of mens passions: Job 13.7, 8. Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? Will ye accept His Person? Will ye contend for God? He requires it not, he needs it not. The excellency of the end will not legitimate the viciousness of the means; nay, by breaking his Law in these uncharitable Contentions you dishonour him. God's Truth and Honour have almost suffered as much by weak and passionate Advocates, as by open Adversaries.

2. Be it known to you, that though your Ends be very sincere, yet God's Glory hath no need of your Intemperance. As his Truth hath no need of our Lye, so his Honour needs not the rotten pillars of mens passions: Job 13.7, 8. Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? Will ye accept His Person? Will ye contend for God? He requires it not, he needs it not. The excellency of the end will not legitimate the vitiousness of the means; nay, by breaking his Law in these uncharitable Contentions you dishonour him. God's Truth and Honour have almost suffered as much by weak and passionate Advocates, as by open Adversaries.

3. If you be indeed so concerned for God's Glory, and for his Truth, then you will use all other means to reduce men into the way of Truth. His Glory must be promoted by his own means; you will not only rebuke them, but you'll pray for them; you'll speak as zealously for them to God in Heaven, as you speak against them upon Earth. If they hunger, you will feed them; if they be disparaged or distressed, you will assist them; and thus by heaping coals of fire upon their heads, you will melt them into Repentance; you are not ignorant that the blustering Winds make the Traveller gird his Cloak closer to him, when the warm Sun forces him to lay it aside: And men generally will strengthen themselves in their Opinions, when they are only pelted with wrath and rancour, who may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, when they are instructed with meekness.