Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Answ. 1. Those that ordinarily ask this Question, don't do it for practical Direction, but for captious diversion; they don't speak by way of Enquiry, but excuse; they'll except against this, and the other, but they'll follow none; and therefore I'll pass by these.

2. Do but practise that wherein all the Ministers of Christ are agreed, and you are safe: They all give the same Directions for substance; though their Directions are different, they are not contrary. You know there's nothing more ordinary than for two Ministers to preach upon one Text, and to handle it different ways, and to draw from it different Inferences, and different Uses; but while they keep to Scripture, and to the Analogy of Faith, all is commendable and beneficial. Christ is pleased variously to distribute both Graces and Gifts, both to Ministers and Christians, and 'tis to the Glory of his Wisdom and Grace that he doth so. All who are Faithful to Christ and Souls, agree in such things as these, viz. To convince of the evil of Sin, and of the necessity of Regeneration: there's none that's worth the name of a Minister that can give Sin a good word; they cannot speak slightly of sin, they cannot encourage sin, they cannot, they dare not flatter you in your sins; they all agree to assure you,^(o) That your sin will find you out; that if you do not find out your Sin to Repentance, your Sin will find you out to your Ruin: They all agree to direct you to Christ, some do it with more skill and warmth than others, but all agree in the thing:^(p) Other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ: They all agree in pressing a Life of Holiness, to evidence the sincerity of your Faith;^(q) Without holiness no man shall see the Lord with comfort.

2. Do but practise that wherein all the Ministers of Christ are agreed, and you are safe: They all give the same Directions for substance; though their Directions are different, they are not contrary. You know there's nothing more ordinary than for two Ministers to preach upon one Text, and to handle it different ways, and to draw from it different Inferences, and different Uses; but while they keep to Scripture, and to the Analogy of Faith, all is commendable and beneficial. Christ is pleased variously to distribute both Graces and Gifts, both to Ministers and Christians, and 'tis to the Glory of his Wisdom and Grace that he doth so. All who are Faithfull to Christ and Souls, agree in such things as these, viz. To convince of the evil of Sin, and of the necessity of Regeneration: there's none that's worth the name of a Minister that can give Sin a good word; they cannot speak slightly of sin, they cannot encourage sin, they cannot, they dare not flatter you in your sins; they all agree to assure you,