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

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.

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 wayes. Either by application to our Affections, or to our Reason and Judgment.

Some perhaps find it more suitable to their own temper, and measure of understanding and conscience, to go the former way; and only vehemently persuade to do the thing wherein the other shall comply with them, and in some fort justify the course which they have taken. Without regard to the others conscience; press them right or wrong to fall in with them. Sometimes labouring to work upon their kindness by flattery, sometimes upon their fear by threats and menaces. Sincere love would certainly abhor to do thus. Would it let me violate another's conscience any way? The love I bear to a fellow-Christian, if it be true, having for its measure that wherewith I love my self, would no more let me do it than hurt the apple of mine own eye. An inspirited waking conscience is as tender a thing, and capable of a worse sort of hurt. If some have more latitude than I, and think what they may do, in present circumstances so far as they may, they must, would it not be the dictate of love patiently to admit it, especially when it comes to suffering. For let me put my own soul in his souls stead, and would I be willing to suffer upon another mans conscience, and not upon my own? and forfeit the consolations which in a suffering condition belong to them who for conscience towards God endure grief, would I, if I loved them, be content they had the grief and did want the consolation? There will be still found in a state of suffering, somewhat that will prove a common cause to good men wherein they will most entirely agree, whatsoever smaller things they may differ in. As the pious Bishops Ridley and Hooper well agreed upon a Martyrdom at the Stake, in the same important Cause, who before, had differed (somewhat angrily) about some Ceremonies. Concerning which difference how pathetical is the Letter