Moreover there are such swarms of litigious Books of Controversies, which scorch up all true Love and Zeal, and greatly grieve such as love Peace, that may perhaps make such Discourses as this concerning the Vitals of genuine Piety, to be very necessary. For certainly if our ends were Right, and our Hearts Upright ⟨image 3⟩with our God; if Christian Magistrates, Ministers, and People were plainly and truly bent to promote the Honour, Love and Fear of God, and the indubitable ways of Holiness, we should soon agree, or else charitably indulge one another in these lesser things; 'Tis Hypocrites on all sides that make our wound incurable. Surely where the Mind is sound, and the Heart sincere in the Main, grains of allowance should be granted ⟨image 4⟩for some Errors of the understanding and Failings in the Conversation; lest we deal with others, as we would be loath to be dealt with, either by God or Men. The Consideration hereof, as also of the scarcity of sincere Christians, to the plenty of Hypocrites in the world, may make some Tolerable Apology for this small Tract; which I do most earnestly recommend, first to the blessing of the Lord, and then to your diligent perusal. ⟨image 4⟩Read and think, and read and pray, and then through his Grace it shall be useful to you. And I beseech you for the Lord Jesus sake, and for the love of the Spirit, strive together with me, in your prayers to God for me a miserable sinner, that I may be Upright and Useful till I dye, whereby you will abundantly recompense these Endeavours of
Moreover there are such swarmes of litigious Books of Controversies, which scorch up all true Love and Zeal, and greatly grieve such as love Peace, that may perhaps make such Discourses as this concerning the Vitals of genuine Piety, to be very necessary. For certainly if our ends were Right, and our Hearts Upright ⟨image 3⟩with our God; if Christian Magistrates, Ministers, and People were plainly and truly bent to promote the Honour, Love and Fear of God, and the indubitable wayes of Holiness, we should soon agree, or else charitably indulge one another in these lesser things; 'Tis Hypocrites on all sides that make our wound incurable. Surely where the Mind is sound, and the Heart sincere in the Main, grains of allowance should be granted ⟨image 4⟩for some Errors of the understanding and Failings in the Conversation; lest we deal with others, as we would be loath to be dealt with, either by God or Men. The Consideration hereof, as also of the scarcity of sincere Christians, to the plenty of Hypocrites in the world, may make some Tolerable Apology for this small Tract; which I do most earnestly recommend, first to the blessing of the Lord, and then to your diligent perusal. ⟨image 4⟩Read and think, and read and pray, and then through his Grace it shall be useful to you. And I beseech you for the Lord Jesus sake, and for the love of the Spirit, strive together with me, in your prayers to God for me a miserable sinner, that I may be Upright and Useful till I dye, whereby you will abundantly recompence these Indeavours of
