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

Obj. But (say those on the one extreme) if I join with one that is known to be a Separatist, an Anabaptist, an Antinomian, an Arminian, &c. his own profession doth before hand bid me to expect not only that the manner but the matter of his prayer be erroneous.

Obj. But (say those on the one extream) if I joyn with one that is known to be a Separatist, an Anabaptist, an Antinomian, an Arminian, &c. his own profession doth before hand bid me to expect not only that the manner but the matter of his prayer be erroneous.

Answ. First, it is granted that no man may in his choice, prefer an erring person or mode of worship before a better. Secondly, But when the question is not, whom you should prefer but whom you may join with, it is not his errors that are yours, nor his profession that is yours. I come to join with him as a Christian Pastor whose office is to preach the Gospel: And while men are the agents I know that all that they do will be imperfect and faulty: And it is not my knowing their •aults that makes them mine, but rather may preserve me from them.

Answ. First, it is granted that no man may in his choise, prefer an erring person or mode of worship before a better. Secondly, But when the question is not, whom you should prefer but whom you may joyn with, it is not his errours that are yours, nor his profession that is yours. I come to joyn with him as a Christian Pastor whose office is to preach the Gospel: And while men are the agents I know that all that they do will be imperfect and •aulty: And it is not my knowing their •aults that makes them mine, but rather may preserve me from them.