A discourse concerning evangelical love, church-peace and unity with the occasions and reasons of…

But without offence be it spoken, this Apprehension in its whole Latitude, and under its restrictions, is so weak and ridiculous, that it must be thought to proceed from an excess of prejudice, if any man of Learning should undertake to patronize it. Those who speak in these things out of Custom and Interest, without a due examination of the Grounds and Reasons of what they affirm or deny, as many do, are of no consideration: And it is not amiss for them to keep their distance, and stand upon their Guard, lest many of those whom they exclude from judging for themselves, should be found more competent Judges in those Matters than themselves. And let Churches and Church-Rulers do what they please, every man at last will be determined in what is meet for him to do, by his own Reason and Judgment. Churches may inform the minds of men, they cannot enforce them. And if those that adhere unto any Church, do not do so, because they judge that it is their duty, and best for them so to do, they therein differ not much from an Herd of Creatures, that are called by another name. And yet a secret Apprehension in some, that the Disposal of the ⟨p. 131⟩Concernments of the Worship of God, is so left and confined unto themselves, as that nothing is left unto the people but the Glory of Obedience, without any sedulous enquiry after what is their own duty, with respect unto that account which every one must give of himself unto God, doth greatly influence them into the neglects insisted on. And when any of the people come to know their own Liberty and Duty in these things, as they cannot but know it, if at all they apply their minds unto the consideration of them, they are ready to be alienated from those who will neither permit them to judge for themselves, nor are able to answer for them, if they should be misled. For if the blind lead the blind, as well he that is led, as he that leads, will into the Ditch.

But without offence be it spoken, this Apprehension in its whole Latitude, and under its restrictions, is so weak and ridiculous, that it must be thought to proceed from an excess of prejudice, if any man of Learning should undertake to patronize it. Those who speak in these things out of Custom and Interest, without a due examination of the Grounds and Reasons of what they affirm or deny, as many do, are of no consideration: And it is not amiss for them to keep their distance, and stand upon their Guard, lest many of those whom they exclude from judging for themselves, should be found more compe•ent Judges in those Matters than themselves. And let Churches and Church-Rulers do what they please, every man at last will be determined in what is meet for him to do, by his own Reason and Judgment. Churches may inform the minds of men, they cannot enforce them. And if those that adhere unto any Church, do not do so, because they judge that it is their duty, and best for them so to do, they therein differ not much from an Herd of Creatures, that are called by another name. And yet a secret Apprehension in some, that the Disposal of the