An answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's Mischief of separation being a letter written out of…An ansvver to Dr. Stillingfleet's Mischief of separation being a letter written out of…

What if many of our Ministers think it lawful, and, at some times, a duty to join in some of the public Assemblies? It is not then their duty, when an inviting opportunity, and so urgent necessities lay before them greater duty. This reverend Author tells us, very pertinently to this purpose, when he was declaiming against us and our Ministers. p. 31. of his Sermon: It is a great fault among some who pretend to great niceness in some positive duties, that they have so little regard to comparative duties: For that which may be a duty in one case, when it comes to thwart a greater duty, may be none. This Doctrine we learn from our blessed Saviour in the case of the obligation of the Sabbath; which he makes to yield to duties of mercy. And can we think that a Duty lying upon us, which, in our circumstances, makes a far greater Duty impracticable? We acknowledge Order and Unity very lovely and desirable things, but we think it of greater importance that the Ministers with whom such fault is found conduct men, though not in so accurate Order (which they cannot help) to Heaven, than let them go in the best Order, yea (and as the case is) without any at all, to hell.

What if many of our Ministers think it lawful, and, at some times, a duty to joyn in some of the publick Assemblies? It is not then their duty, when an inviting oportunity, and so urgent necessities lay before them greater duty. This reverend Author tells us, very pertinently to this purpose, when he was declaiming against us and our Ministers. p. 31. of his Sermon: It is a great fault among some who pretend to great niceness in some positive duties, that they have so little regard to comparative duties: For that which may be a duty in one case, when it comes to thwart a greater duty, may be none. This Doctrine we learn from our blessed Saviour in the case of the obligation of the Sabbath; which he makes to yield to duties of mercy. And can we think that a Duty lying upon us, which, in our circumstances, makes a far greater Duty impractible? We acknowledge Order and Unity very lovely and desirable things, but we think it of greater importance that the Ministers with whom such fault is found conduct men, though not in so accurate Order (which they cannot help) to Heaven, than let them go in the best Order, yea (and as the case is) without any at all, to hell.