A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

If that appear a Duty to us that hath an Appearance of Evil in it to the generality of the most sober and serious Christians ⟨p. 134⟩(let us suppose that) why now though this should not presently sway our Consciences, yet it should engage us to make a strict Search and Enquiry, whether it be our duty or not; if it is that which is contrary to the Opinion and Practice of holy and pious Christians, it ought to have this Authority with us, to put us to a stand, and to make us to examine whether that which we account a Duty, be indeed a Duty or not: As for instance, some among us at this day are persuaded that they ought to worship God one way, and some another; and what appears a Duty to one, hath the appearance of Evil in it to another? why now follow neither of these; because it is their Judgment and Practice; but yet if thy persuasion be contrary to the persuasion of the most pious and most sober Christians, this ought so far to prevail, as to make men suspect lest they are mistaken, and to put them upon a diligent Enquiry, and an impartial Search into their Grounds and Arguments; but after all, still follow that which you are convinced in your own Conscience is your Duty, how evil soever it may appear to others either one way ⟨p. 135⟩or other. And that's the first Particular: If those things appear evil to others that are our duty, or necessary, or that appear so to us, we ought not to regard the Censures and Opinions of others concerning it.

If that appear a Duty to us that hath an Appearance of Evil in it to the generality of the most sober and serious Christians ⟨p. 134⟩(let us suppose that) why now though this should not presently sway our Consciences, yet it should engage us to make a strict Search and Enquiry, whether it be our duty or not; if it is that which is contrary to the Opinion and Practice of holy and pious Christians, it ought to have this Authority with us, to put us to a stand, and to make us to examine whether that which we account a Duty, be indeed a Duty or not: As for instance, some among us at this day are perswaded that they ought to worship God one way, and some another; and what appears a Duty to one, hath the appearance of Evil in it to another? why now follow neither of these; because it is their Judgment and Practice; but yet if thy perswasion be contrary to the perswasion of the most pious and most sober Christians, this ought so far to prevail, as to make men suspect lest they are mistaken, and to put them upon a diligent Enquiry, and an impartial Search into their Grounds and Arguments; but after all, still follow that which you are convinced in your own Conscience is your Duty, how evil soever it may appear to others either one way