Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And…

Secondly, They were not such Tares as would spoil the Wheat, but as Jerome saith in those Countries the Tares did grow much like Wheat all the while it was in the blade, so that they were hardly to be distinguished, though some that were of more understanding were able to discern them from the Wheat; therefore though such as do grow up like unto the Wheat may be suffered, and yet in this case only, that is, in case that it will prejudice the Wheat, that is, when they are so close to the Wheat as there will be danger by plucking them up to pluck up the Wheat too, then they must be let alone; Mark, first it was through the negligence of the officers; they should have been kept out. Secondly, if they do get in, yet while they grow so close to the Wheat as there will be danger that when you pluck out them, to pluck out the Wheat too, only in that case it must be forborne; but this gives no liberty that therefore all sorts may be let into the Church, and there should be no kind of Ordinance to cast out those that are venomous weeds that will do hurt and mischief.

Secondly, They were not such Tares as would spoyle the Wheat, but as Jerom saith in those Countries the Tares did grow much like Wheat all the while it was in the blade, so that they were hardly to be distinguished, though some that were of more understanding were able to discern them from the Wheat; therefore though such as do grow up like unto the Wheat may be suffered, and yet in this case only, that is, in case that it will prejudice the Wheat, that is, when they are so close to the Wheat as there will be danger by plucking them up to pluck up the Wheat too, then they must be let alone; Mark, first it was through the negligence of the officers; they should have been kept out. Secondly, if they do get in, yet while they grow so close to the Wheat as there will be danger that when you pluck out them, to pluck out the Wheat too, only in that case it must be forborne; but this gives no liberty that therefore all sorts may be let into the Church, and there should be no kind of Ordinance to cast out those that are venomous weeds that will do hurt and mischief.

But if you understand it (as many do) concerning the World, then the meaning is thus, the Preaching of the Gospel that comes to a place, and there's only good seed sown, and is a means of the conversion of many, but together with the conversion of some; there are others that do hear the Gospel Preached, and the truth is, they being mingled among the hearers of the Word, in stead of bringing forth good fruit according to the Gospel, they bring forth the Tares; now saith the servant, Lord, how comes it to pass that we preach such excellent truths in this place, and yet there are so many wicked men that bring forth such wicked fruit? Lord, is it thy mind that we should be wholly separated from them and have nothing to do with them, that there should be a full separation while we live in this world?