Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

§. 4 And in things of this nature those who are called to the instruction of others, are carefully to avoid Extremes. For he that condemns the righteous, and he that justifieth the wicked, are both of them an abomination to the Lord. And several Instances there are of the miscarriages of men on the one hand and the other. On the one, lay the sin of the Pharisees of old. When they had gotten the pretence of a command, they would burden it with so many rigid observances, in the manner of its performance, as should make it a yoke intolerable to their Disciples; getting themselves the reputation of strict observers of the Law. But in truth they were not so wanting unto their own ease and interest, as not to provide a secret dispensation for themselves. They would scarce put a finger to the burdens which they bound and laid on the shoulders of others. And this is the condition of all almost that hath an appearance of ⟨p. 417⟩Religion or Devotion in the Papacy. And a fault of the same nature, though not of so signal a provocation, others may fall into unadvisedly, who are free from their hypocrisy. They may charge and press both their own consciences, and other mens, above and beyond what God hath appointed. And this they may do with a sincere intention to promote Religion and Holiness amongst men, by engaging them into the strictest ways of the profession of it. Now in the Directions of the consciences of men about their duties to God, this is carefully to be avoided. For Peace is only to be obtained in keeping steady and even to the Rule. To transgress on the right hand whatever the pretence be, is to lye for God, which will not be accepted with him.

§. 4 And in things of this nature those who are called to the instruction of others, are carefully to avoid Extreams. For he that condemns the righteous, and he that justifieth the wicked, are both of them an abomination to the Lord. And several Instances there are of the miscarriages of men on the one hand and the other. On the one, lay the sin of the Pharisees of old. When they had gotten the pretence of a command, they would burden it with so many rigid observances, in the manner of its performance, as should make it a yoke intolerable to their Disciples; getting themselves the reputation of strict observers of the Law. But in truth they were not so wanting unto their own ease and interest, as not to provide a secret dispensation for themselves. They would scarce put a finger to the burdens which they bound and laid on the shoulders of others. And this is the condition of all almost that hath an appearance of