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

Answ. First, Grace is not visible to you, but the Profession of it only: Therefore your Communion must be extended according to mens profession, and not according to sincerity which you know not? when the question is, who hath grace, and who hath not, God hath not made you a heart▪ searching Judge, but hath made profession the sign which you must judge by. And he that professeth Christianity, professeth all that is of necessity to salvation.

Secondly, If Christs flock was little when he spake those words, it is much greater now. And if it be little still (as it is in comparison of the world of Heathens, Infidels, and Hypocrites) will he give them thanks that will make it less, yea a thousand times less than it is indeed? Hath he so few? and will you take from him almost all those few? If you had but a hundred sheep when your neighbour had a thousand, would you thank him that would rob you of all save one?

Thirdly, So far as God hath revealed the fewness of the saved, we reverence his Counsels, and believe his word: But if you will make it so much less a number, while you falsify Gods word, you will tempt your selves at last, not to believe it, because you have made it false and incredible by making it your own. Brethren, I beseech you be not angry with us while we pity you, and would save your souls from your own snares and delusions. You know not how fast you are hastening ⟨p. 268⟩to infidelity, and to the renouncing of Christ himself? you little suspect that your extraordinary strictness, for the purity of the Church doth tend to your turning heathens, and denying the whole Church? But remember, that the nature of God is so infinitely Good, as well as Just, and the Gospel is such glad tidings to all the world, and Christ called, the Saviour of the world, and God is said so to love the world in giving him,