A53699:64
The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…
The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast, to the Commons assembled in Parliament / published by their command, by J. Owen.
London: printed for Philemon Stephens, 1659
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. That differences of judgments in civil affairs, or Church matters ought not presently to be made Arguments of men; not being Righteous. Some men think that none are Righteous that are not of their principles; then which principle there is nothing more unrighteous. Let men that differ from them walk never so holily, profess never so strictly; yet if they are not of their mind, they are not ⟨p. 20⟩Righteous. If men are offended on such accounts, it is because they will be so.
4. That differences of judgments in civil affaires, or Church matters ought not presently to be made Arguments of men; not being Righteous. Some men think that none are Righteous that are not of their principles; then which principle there is nothing more unrighteous. Let men that differ from them walk never so holily, professe never so strictly; yet if they are not of their minde, they are not ⟨p. 20⟩Righteous. If men are offended on such accounts, it is because they wil be so.
5. This hath ever been the way of the men of the world; that when any have been unblamable and zealous upon the account of Religion, they will attempt their Reputation, though without any ground or colour, upon the account of righteousness. So suffered the Christians of old; and so the Puritans of former days, unjustly and falsely, as God will judge and declare. The world then in this matter is not to be believed; the common reports of it are from the devil, the accuser of the brethren; who accuses them in the same manner before God night and day. These are but pretences, whereby men ignorant of the mystery of the Gospel, and the power of Grace, harden themselves to their ruin.
5. This hath ever been the way of the men of the world; that when any have been unblamable and zealous upon the account of Religion, they will attempt their Reputation, though without any ground or colour, upon the account of righteousnesse. So suffered the Christians of old; and so the Puritans of former dayes, unjustly and falsly, as God will judge and declare. The world then in this matter is not to be beleeved; the common reports of it are from the devil, the accuser of the brethren; who accuses them in the same manner before God night and day. These are but pretenses, whereby men ignorant of the mystery of the Gospel, and the power of Grace, harden themselves to their ruine.