Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

But again, left any Ungodly person take occasion of presumption from all this, let me add this much more: 1. Though another cannot know such to be certainly ungodly, yet they may know it by themselves; who know their own ends and reasons better then we can do. And (alas!) the souls of such are never the safer, because we are bound to judge charitably of them. This is but to prevent our wronging them, but it will not prevent their damnation. 2. Though we know them not ⟨p. 334⟩to be certainly ungodly, yet God doth: and it is he that must judge them. And therefore he will put many a thousand out of heaven, whom we may not put out of the Church. When the Tares and Wheat are so mixed, that we cannot pluck up the Tares without plucking up the Wheat (that is, in doubtful inevident cases) there we must let both grow till the time of harvest (both in forbearing persecution by the sword, and Excommunication:) but then God will sever the wicked from the just, and gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them that work iniquity, and cast them out into the lake of fire. 3. And our selves may see cause enough to bewail the misery of many as too probable, whom yet we cannot certainly conclude to be miserable: yea, we have cause to call them out of our communion: of which more anon. I must therefore entreat two sorts of Readers that they do not mis-interpret these foregoing passages. First, The Ungodly are desired to beware that they pervert not this to their own delusion nor to the opening of their mouths against the teachings and censures of the Church. I cannot but fore-see that such will be prone to draw venom out of necessary truths; and to say, I may be godly and be saved, though I pray not in my family, though I swear, or be drunk, &c. But such must know, 1. That [they cannot be saved, if in the bent of their lives they live after the flesh, and if God be not dearer to them than all the world, and if their hearts be not more on heaven than on earth, and if the main aim and business of their lives be not for God and the life to come; nor can they be Godly or saved unless they truly hate their sin, and long to be rid of it, and are willing to be at the cost and labour of using Gods means by which they may be rid of it;

But again, left any Ungodly person take occasion of presumption from all this, let me add this much more: 1. Though another cannot know such to be certainly ungodly, yet they may know it by themselves; who know their own ends and reasons better then we can do. And (alas!) the souls of such are never the safer, because we are bound to judge charitably of them. This is but to prevent our wronging them, but it will not prevent their damnation. 2. Though we know them not