A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

And whereas of the People, some may think the public forms and ways of worship not simply unlawful, but find them less edifying to them than other means which the Providence of God affords them; and therefore do more ordinarily attend those, though sometimes also the other. Why should it be thought on the one hand or the other that it is so little possible they should be guided by reasonable and conscientious considerations herein, that nothing but corrupt inclination must be understood to govern them? Is it not supposable that accounting the public worship substantially agreeable to divine institution, though in some accidentals too disagreeable, they may think there is more to incline them at some times, to attend it, than totally to disown it? For what worship is there on earth that is in all things incorrupt? And they may apprehend it fit to testify their union with the sincere Christians, that may be statedly under that form, and especially in a time when the contest is so high in the world, between them that profess the substance of Reformed Christianity, and them that have so much deformed it; and may conceive it becoming them (at any time) to express their own unconfinedness to a Party, and to use that liberty which (they think) should not be judged by another mans Conscience, which yet they would have regard to, where there are not greater reasons to preponderate. They are indeed under a disadvantage (with them that are apt to use a greater liberty in their Censures than they do in their practice in these matters) when it falls out that their partial compliance is the means of their security from penalties. And their disadvantage is greater, whose judgment to this purpose hath not been formerly declared and made known. But they for shame ought to be silent whose total compliance gains them not only immunity, but great emoluments. And that perhaps, yielded not according to a former, but (at that time when the opportunity occurred) a new and altered judgment. They may however know themselves to be moved by greater ends than secular interest. And so may these we now speak of, and yet may think the preservation of their earthly portion wherewith they are to glorify God in this world not too little an end to be designed and endeavoured by lawful means. It were a very uncouth and sinful thing to do a spiritual action for a carnal end.

And whereas of the People, some may think the public forms and wayes of worship not simply unlawful, but find them less edifying to them than other means which the Providence of God affords them; and therefore do more ordinarily attend those, thô sometimes also the other. Why should it be thought on the one hand or the other that it is so little possible they should be guided by reasonable and conscientious considerations herein, that nothing but corrupt inclination must be understood to govern them? Is it not supposeable that accounting the public worship substantially agreeable to divine institution, thô in some accidentals too disagreeable, they may think there is more to encline them at some times, to attend it, than totally to disown it? For what worship is there on earth that is in all things incorrupt? And they may apprehend it fit to testifie their union with the sincere Christians, that may be statedly under that form, and especially in a time when the contest is so high in the world, between them that profess the substance of Reformed Christianity, and them that have so much deform'd it; and may conceive it becoming them (at any time) to express their own unconfinedness to a Party, and to use that liberty which (they think) should not be jug'd by another mans Conscience, which yet they would have regard to, where there are not greater reasons to preponderate. They are indeed under a disadvantage (with them that are apt to use a greater liberty in their Censures than they do in their practice in these matters) when it falls out that their partial compliance is the means of their security from penalties. And their disadvantage is greater, whose judgment to this purpose hath not been formerly declared and made known. But they for shame ought to be silent whose total compliance gains them not only immunity, but great emoluments. And that perhaps, yielded not according to a former, but (at that time when the opportunity occurred) a new and altered judgment. They may however know themselves to be moved by greater ends than secular interest. And so may these we now speak of, and yet may think the preservation of their earthly portion wherewith they are to glorifie God in this world not too little an end to be designed and endeavoured by lawful means. It were a very uncouth and sinful thing to do a spiritual action for a carnal end.