The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

And it is so in almost all things else. Scarce a day or hour that I spend, but I must sin or be censured for it. If I neglect my most public labours, my conscience and those at a distance censure me. If I do not, those at hand who expect all my time should be spent in private converse with them, censure me, If my public duty command me away, yet he that expected that hour in conference, thinks that I disdainfully neglect him; ⟨p. 145⟩And if I should cast off preaching and writing, it is almost all one: For that hour which I have been spending with one, another hath been that while expecting▪ and censuring me as sharply for his frustration.

And it is so in almost all things else. Scarce a day or hour that I spend, but I must sin or be censured for it. If I neglect my most publike labours, my conscience and those at a distance censure me. If I do not, those at hand who expect all my time should be spent in private converse with them, censure me, If my publike duty command me away, yet he that expected that hour in conference, thinks that I disdainfully neglect him; ⟨p. 145⟩And if I should cast off preaching and writing, it is almost all one: For that hour which I have been spending with one, another hath been that while expecting▪ and censuring me as sharply for his frustration.

If I had a benefit to do or give, which I can give but to one, ten shall censure me, because they have it not, when the one that had it is scarcely thankful. If you would give all that you have to the poor, when all is given, many that had nothing will censure you more then those that had it will be grateful. Expectations with most men are high, and they understand not your inability: And mens necessities are many and great; And every one will say, why I look but for so much; when all set together is ten times more than you have to give.