The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

3. The same counsel also would I give you in the performance of your duty. A Magistrate is convinced he must punish sinners, and put down Ale-houses, and be true to every Just Cause: but then he must steel his face against all mens reproaches, and the solicitations of all friends. A Minister is convinced that he must teach from house to house, as well as publicly, if he be able; and ⟨p. 328⟩that he must deal plainly with sinners according to their conditions; yea and require the Church to avoid Communion with them, if they be obstinate in evil after other sufficient means: But then he shall lose the Love of his People, and be accounted Proud, Precise, Rigid, Lordly, and perhaps lose his maintenance. Obey God now; and the dearer it costeth you, the more Peace and Protection, and the larger blessing may you expect from God: For you do (as it were) oblige God the more to stick to you; as you will take your self obliged to own, and bear out, and reward those that hazard state, and credit, and life for you. And if you cannot obey God in such a Trial, it is a sad sign of a false-hearted Hypocrite: except your fall be only in a temptation, from which you rise with renewed Repentance and Resolutions, which will conquer for the time to come. As Peter, who being left to himself for an example of humane frailty, and that Christ might have no friend to stick by him when he suffered for our sin, yet presently wept bitterly, and afterward spent his strength and time in preaching Christ, and laid down his life in Martyrdom for him.

3. The same counsel also would I give you in the performance of your duty. A Magistrate is convinced he must punish sinners, and put down Ale-houses, and be true to every Just Cause: but then he must steel his face against all mens reproaches, and the solicitations of all friends. A Minister is convinced that he must teach from house to house, as well as publickly, if he be able; and ⟨p. 328⟩that he must deal plainly with sinners according to their conditions; yea and require the Church to avoyd Communion with them, if they be obstinate in evill after other sufficient means: But then he shall lose the Love of his People, and be accounted Proud, Precise, Rigid, Lordly, and perhaps lose his maintenance. Obey God now; and the dearer it costeth you, the more Peace and Protection, and the larger blessing may you expect from God: For you do (as it were) oblige God the more to stick to you; as you will take your self obliged to own, and bear out, and reward those that hazard state, and credit, and life for you. And if you cannot obey God in such a Trial, it is a sad sign of a false-hearted Hypocrite: except your fall be only in a temptation, from which you rise with renewed Repentance and Resolutions, which will conquer for the time to come. As Peter, who being left to himself for an example of humane frailty, and that Christ might have no friend to stick by him when he suffered for our sin, yet presently wept bitterly, and afterward spent his strength and time in preaching Christ, and laid down his life in Martyrdom for him.