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

And if it be said against the former of these two sorts, Are they n•t at all times obliged to use the means which are most edifying? They may say at all times when they have nothing to outweigh their own present edification. But it is not impossible that a conscientious judgement may esteem all the forementioned considerations concurring, to be of more weight than the greater advantage hoped to be gained in that one hour. Nor need any man be ashamed professedly to avow that which may seem the least of them, the saving of himself from temporal ruin. For he is to be accountable to God for what portion he hath entrusted him with of the good things of this life, ⟨p. 93⟩and is not to throw it away without sufficient cause. Who sees not that more is allowed and ordinarily done without scruple or censure upon the like account? as to omit the hearing of a Sermon, if at that time ones house be on fire, yea or if it be to save my Neighbours, or the plucking of an Ox or Sheep out of a ditch on the Lords day, when I might have been employed at that time in the solemn worship of God to my Spiritual advantage. A mere commutation unto less advantage upon an equally or more urgent necessity is less than omission. And they that shall have learned, as our Saviour directs, what that means, I will have mercy and not Sacrifice, will not condemn the guiltless.

And if it be said against the former of these two sorts, Are they n•t at all times obliged to use the means which are most edifying? They may say at all times when they have nothing to outweigh their own present edification. But it is not imposs•ible that a consciencious judgement may esteem all the forementioned considerations concurring, to be of more weight than the greater advantage hoped to be gained in that one hour. Nor need any man be ashamed professedly to avow that which may seem the least of them, the saving of himself from temporal ruine. For he is to be accountable to God for what portion he hath intrusted him with of the good things of this life, ⟨p. 93⟩and is not to throw it away without sufficient cause. Who sees not that more is allowed and ordinarily done without scruple or censure upon the like account? as to omit the hearing of a Sermon, if at that time ones house be on fire, yea or if it be to save my Neighbours, or the plucking of an Ox or Sheep out of a ditch on the Lords day, when I might have been employ'd at that time in the solemn worship of God to my Spiritual advantage. A meer commutation unto less advantage upon an equally or more urgent necessity is less than omission. And they that shall have learned, as our Saviour directs, what that means, I will have mercy and not Sacrifice, will not condemn the guiltless.