Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

III. For Application. 1. Then it follows, That Union is the true means of our Preservation. Unity of Judgment, this I say again should be endeavoured, not only in weighty Points, but in all matters of Doctrine and Practice: And if men would labour to divest themselves of Prejudice and Interest, this might in a great measure be obtained. Truth is but One; and if all did truly seek Truth, they would surely find it: The integrity of the upright shall guide them, and, the righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; Prov. 11.3.5. But a violent Prejudice for or against any Opinion or Practice, is a notorious hinderance in finding out the Truth; it shuts the windows that light cannot •nter: Whoso therefore would find out the plain Truth, must strip himself of all such pre-occupation, as will not suffer him to make an impartial search into the Mind of God about it; and having found it, must render himself prisoner unto it. So also must all worldly Interests be laid at the feet of Truth, and whether the Doctrine or Practice in question be in repute or under disgrace, whether it will gain or lose my best Friends, whether it will prefer or undo me, are not Considerations worthy of him that hath learned to deny himself, and ⟨p. 54⟩to value the World to come above the Word that now is: I say again, if men did but sincerely seek, they should certainly find, according to Christ's Promise, Matth. 7.7. and so Unity in Judgment, would be attained more than it is, which doubtless would be a sovereign Preservative from Destruction.

III. For Application. 1. Then it follows, That Ʋnion is the true means of our Preservation. Unity of Judgment, this I say again should be endeavoured, not only in weighty Points, but in all matters of Doctrine and Practice: And if men would labour to divest themselves of Prejudice and Interest, this might in a great measure be obtain'd. Truth is but One; and if all did truly seek Truth, they would surely find it: The integrity of the upright shall guide them, and, the righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; Prov. 11.3.5. But a violent Prejudice for or against any Opinion or Practice, is a notorious hinderance in finding out the Truth; it shuts the windows that light cannot nter: Whoso therefore would find out the plain Truth, must strip himself of all such pre-occupation, as will not suffer him to make an impartial search into the Mind of God about it; and having found it, must render himself prisoner unto it. So also must all worldly Interests be laid at the feet of Truth, and whether the Doctrine or Practice in question be in repute or under disgrace, whether it will gain or lose my best Friends, whether it will preferr or undoe me, are not Considerations worthy of him that hath learned to deny himself, and