And see here how sin doth cross it self. Most of the censorious, are proud persons, who think others much worse than themselves; and therefore speak worse of their common and more ignorant neighbours, that they may be thought to be no common nor ignorant persons themselves; and they are offended with the Pastor of the Church, for admitting such persons into communion with such as they: That so their piety may be more conspicuous than their neighbours: when all this while they are but preparing for their own dishonour; And others will judge as bad of them. When usually the meek and humble and merciful Christian who judgeth hardly of himself and tenderly of all others; is tenderly and lovingly judged of by all. The Prelatist saith, [what obstinate persons are these Non-conformists, They do all to keep the approbation of their party▪] And are they not requited by many of them whom they censure, who say [What temporizing hypocrites are these Formalists and Latitudinarians! They would turn Papists or any thing to save their skins, or get preferment. What perjury or other heinous crime will they not ⟨p. 132⟩number with things indifferent.] The Papist thinks the Protestant a Heretic unworthy to live on earth and therefore thirsteth for his blood; And is he not requited by the censures of them that think that he is but a blood thirsty limb of Antichrist himself? If he think that the Protestant cannot be saved, because he is not a member of the Pope, or Roman Church, the Protestant requiteth him oft times with concluding, that a Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate, nor a worshipper of the Beast be saved. If the Independent censure the Presbyterian as a favourer of looseness and formality, the Presbyterian can requite him, by censuring him to be an enemy to order, government & peace, and a turbulent cause of all confusion. The same I may say of all other sects: It is not now my purpose to take part with any of them, nor to speak against any one of them more than the rest: But to them tell all of their mistake in their censorious way, & how certainly they prepare for the same measure and judgement which they give to others. Rom. 14. 4. Who art thou that judgest another mans servant? To his own m•ster he standeth or falleth: Yea he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.—But why judgest thou thy brother, or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?
And see here how sin doth cross it self. Most of the censorious, are proud persons, who think others much worse than themselves; and therefore speak worse of their common and more ignorant neighbours, that they may be thought to be no common nor ignorant persons themselves; and they are offended with the Pastor of the Church, for admitting such persons into communion with such as they: That so their piety may be more conspicuous than their neighbours: when all this while they are but preparing for their own dishonour; And others will judge as bad of them. When usually the meek and humble and merciful Christian who judgeth hardly of himself and tenderly of all others; is tenderly and lovingly judged of by all. The Prelatist saith, [what obstinate persons are these Non-conformists, They do all to keep the approbation of their party▪] And are they not requited by many of them whom they censure, who say [What temporizing hypocrites are these Formalists and Latitudinarians! They would turn Papists or any thing to save their skins, or get preferment. What perjury or other heinous crime will they not ⟨p. 132⟩number with things indifferent.] The Papist thinks the Protestant a Heretick unworthy to live on earth and therefore thirsteth for his blood; And is he not requited by the censures of them that think that he is but a blood thirsty limb of Antichrist himself? If he think that the Protestant cannot be saved, because he is not a member of the Pope, or Roman Church, the Protestant requiteth him oft times with concluding, that a Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate, nor a worshipper of the Beast be saved. If the Independent censure the Presbyterian as a favourer of looseness and formality, the Presbyterian can requite him, by censuring him to be an enemy to order, government & peace, and a turbulent cause of all confusion. The same I may say of all other sects: It is not now my purpose to take part with any of them, nor to speak against any one of them more than the rest: But to them tell all of their mistake in their censorious way, & how certainly they prepare for the same measure and judgement which they give to others. Rom. 14. 4. Who art thou that judgest another mans servant? To his own m•ster he standeth or falleth: Yea he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand.—But why judgest thou thy brother, or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?
