Fourthly, is this pleasing of God a duty of so great importance and benefit? Then be tender and charitable in judging of those that do differ from you and others, upon this account, because they dare not displease God. I may seem, in this caution, to aim at my ⟨p. 94⟩self, and others of my brethren in the work of our Ministry; but I am not here at present to take my last farewell; I hope I may have a little further opportunity of speaking to you; but if not, let me require this of you, to pass a charitable interpretation upon our laying down the exercise of our Ministry; there is a greater Judge than you, must judge us all at the great Day; and to this Judge, we can appeal before Angels and Men; that it is not this thing or that thing, that puts us upon this dissent, but it is conscience towards God, and fear of offending him. I censure none that differ from me, as though they displease God; but yet, as to my self, should I do thus and thus, I should certainly violate the peace of my own conscience, and offend God, which I must not do; no, not to secure my Ministry; though that either is, or ought to be, dearer to me than my very life; and how dear it is, God only knoweth. Do not add affliction to affliction, be not uncharitable in judging of us, as if through pride, faction, obstinacy, or devotedness to a party, or, which is worse then all, in opposition to authority, we do dissent; the Judge of all hearts knows, it is not so. But it is merely from those apprehensions which, after prayer, and the use of all means, do yet continue; that doing thus and thus, we should displease God; therefore deal charitably with us in this day of our affliction. If we be mistaken, I pray God to convince us: if others be mistaken, whether in a public or private capacity, I pray God in mercy convince them; but however things go, God will make good this truth to us; in this work he will not leave us, and our Father will not leave us alone; for it is the unfeigned desire of our soul, in all things to please God.
Fourthly, is this pleasing of God a duty of so great importance and benefit? Then be tender and charitable in judging of those that do differ from you and others, upon this account, because they dare not displease God. I may seem, in this caution, to aim at my ⟨p. 94⟩self, and others of my brethren in the work of our Ministry; but I am not here at present to take my last farewel; I hope I may have a little further opportunity of speaking to you; but if not, let me require this of you, to pass a charitable interpretation upon our laying down the exercise of our Ministry; there is a greater Judge than you, must judge us all at the great Day; and to this Judge, we can appeal before Angels and Men; that it is not this thing or that thing, that puts us upon this dissent, but it is conscience towards God, and fear of offending him. I censure none that differ from me, as though they displease God; but yet, as to my self, should I do thus and thus, I should certainly violate the peace of my own conscience, and offend God, which I must not do; no, not to secure my Ministry; though that either is, or ought to be, dearer to me than my very life; and how dear it is, God only knoweth. Do not add affliction to affliction, be not uncharitable in judging of us, as if through pride, faction, obstinacy, or devotedness to a party, or, which is worse then all, in opposition to authority, we do dissent; the Judge of all hearts knows, it is not so. But it is meerly from those apprehensions which, after prayer, and the use of all means, do yet continue; that doing thus and thus, we should displease God; therefore deal charitably with us in this day of our affliction. If we be mistaken, I pray God to convince us: if others be mistaken, whether in a publick or private capacity, I pray God in mercy convince them; but however things go, God will make good this truth to us; in this work he will not leave us, and our Father will not leave us alone; for it is the unfained desire of our soul, in all things to please God.
