§. 8. That Mr. Danvers and his imitators speak evil (confidently and vehemently) of the things they know not (yea very many such) I am sure. But from what principle or root, or how far that vice which produceth these fruits is mortified or unmortified as to all others, I am neither called nor willing to judge. I remember how Mr. Tho. Pierce once dealt with me: When my Religious neighbour could hardly be persuaded to communicate with those among them that were of his judgement, saying, they were men that would swear and lie, and lived scandalously, I thought it my duty (to keep up discipline and yet) to moderate their censures by telling them what sins I thought might stand with some measure of sincere piety, and Church-communion. And what doth he but hence take advantage to tell the world how loose my doctrine was, and what sinful persons I thought had grace? So now if I should say, that notwithstanding these hard-faced falsehoods heaped together, and confidently obtruded on the ignorant, even about public and visible matter of fact, yet I hope the Author feareth God truly in other respects, and erreth through Ignorance, passion, and temerity; I should be told publicly ere long by one or other, that I think the most brazen-faced Liars may be Saints: And if I deny such mens Goodness, I look to be told that I am censorious and a reviler of godly men that differ from me. Therefore I am thankful to Christ that he not only excuseth us from so hard a work as the Judging of the sincerity of others, but calls ⟨p. 293⟩us off, and saith, who art thou that judgest another mans servant? to his own master he stands or falls: But whoever censure me for it, I will say that my judgement still inclineth to the hopeful and charitable part! For siding and error may draw good men into heinous sins.
§. 8. That Mr. Danvers and his imitaters speak evil (confidently and vehemently) of the things they know not (yea very many such) I am sure. But from what principle or root, or how far that vice which produceth these fruits is mortified or unmortified as to all others, I am neither called nor willing to judge. I remember how Mr. Tho. Pierce once dealt with me: When my Religious neighbour could hardly be perswaded to communicate with those among them that were of his judgement, saying, they were men that would swear and lie, and lived scandalously, I thought it my duty (to keep up discipline and yet) to moderate their censures by telling them what sins I thought might stand with some measure of sincere piety, and Church-communion. And what doth he but hence take advantage to tell the world how loose my doctrine was, and what sinful persons I thought had grace? So now if I should say, that notwithstanding these hard-faced falshoods heaped together, and confidently obtruded on the ignorant, even about publick and visible matter of fact, yet I hope the Au•hor feareth God truly in other respects, and erreth through Ignorance, passion, and temerity; I should be told publickly ere long by one or other, that I think the most brazen-faced Lyars may be Saints: And if I deny such mens Goodness, I look to be told that I am censorious and a reviler of godly men that differ from me. Therefore I am thankful to Christ that he not only excuseth us from so hard a work as the Judging of the sincerity of others, but calls ⟨p. 293⟩us off, and saith, who art thou that judgest another mans servant? to his own master he stands or falls: But whoever censure me for it, I will say that my judgement still inclineth to the hopeful and charitable part! For siding and error may draw good men into heinous sins.
