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

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. verse 11. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. One would think they that lay no restraint upon themselves in this matter of judging their brethren, upon every light occasion, reckon this chapter came by chance into the Bible. And that our Lord spake himself, at random, words that had no meaning, when he said Mat. 7.1. Judge not that you be not judged, &c. What man that fears God would not dread to be the framer of a new Gospel, and of new terms of salvation? It is a great solace indeed to a sincere mind; but implies a severe rebuke, in the mean time, to such a self-assuming censorious spirit, that it may in such a case be so truly said, It is a much easier thing to please God than man.

They that find this measure will have the better of it, if they can abstain from retaliating, when as the reason of it is the same on both sides. For they may say, You are to remember I differ no more from you in this matter, than you do from me, and if I judge not you about it, what greater reason have you to judge me? And they have little reason to value such a mans judgment concerning their duty in a doubtful matter, who cannot see his own in so plain a case. The matter for which they judge me may be very doubtful, but nothing can be plainer than that they ought not so to judge.

9. A due Christian love would oblige us after competent endeavours of mutual satisfaction about the matters wherein we differ to forbear further urging of one another concerning them. Which urging may be two ways. Either by application to our Affections, or to our Reason and Judgment.