How to do good to many, or, The public good is the Christians life…How to do good to many, or, The publick good is the Christians life…

II. That all Christians should be very careful to avoid the doing public hurt: It woundeth Conscience to be guilty of wronging of any one man: We find it in dying men, that cannot die in peace till they have confessed wrongs and made satisfaction, and ask forgiveness. And who knoweth, but the many Apparitions that have certainly been on such occasions, may be done by miserable Souls, to seek some ease of the torment of their own Consciences? But to hurt many, even whole Parishes, Cities, Churches, Kingdoms, how much more grievous will it prove? And yet alas! how quickly may it be done, and how ordinarily is it done? What grievous mischief may even well meaning men do, by one mistaken practice or rash act? by the fierce promoting of one error? By letting loose one passion, or carnal affection? By venturing once on secret sin: Yea, by one rash sinful word? How much more if they are drawn and set in an unlawful interest and way? And little know we when a spark is kindled how it will end? Or how many ways Satan hath to improve it? And one hurtful action, or unwarrantable way, may blast abundance of excellent endowments, and make such a grievous damage to the Church, who else might have been an eminent blessing. And if good men may do so much hurt, what have the Enemies of godliness to answer for, who by worldliness and malignity, are Corrupters, dividers and destroyers?

II. That all Christians should be very careful to avoid the doing publick hurt: It woundeth Conscience to be guilty of wronging of any one man: We find it in dying men, that cannot die in peace till they have confessed wrongs and made satisfaction, and ask forgiveness. And who knoweth, but the many Apparitions that have certainly been on such occasions, may be done by miserable Souls, to seek some ease of the torment of their own Consciences? But to hurt many, even whole Parishes, Cities, Churches, Kingdoms, how much more grievous will it prove? And yet alas! how quickly may it be done, and how ordinarily is it done? What grievous mischief may even well meaning men do, by one mistaken practice or rash act? by the fierce promoting of one error? By letting loose one passion, or carnal affection? By venturing once on secret sin: Yea, by one rash sinful word? How much more if they are drawn and set in an unlawful interest and way? And little know we when a spark is kindled how it will end? Or how many wayes Satan hath to improve it? And one hurtful action, or unwarrantable way, may blast abundance of excellent endowments, and make such a grievous dammage to the Church, who else might have been an eminent blessing. And if good men may do so much hurt, what have the Enemies of godliness to answer for, who by wordliness and malignity, are Corrupters, dividers and destroyers?