The Title-Page prefixed to this Discourse, intimateth the Time and Occasion of its delivery. I had no cause to (nor did I) expect, that it would fall to […] to speak before the choice was made; If I had, I would have used means to prevent that trouble from coming upon my self or others. But it may be, God did it to prove me and see whether I would please men or Christ. And I hope I may (in some measure) say after the Apostle, We are bold in our God to speak. Our Exhortation was not of deceit, but even so we speak not as pleasing men but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, nor of men sought we glory. That great Reformer in Scotland, when upon his Death-bed, could say with comfort, That I did forbear none of what condition soever, I did it out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. even so I must confess, the awful sense of the great opportunity which the Lord put into my hands to discharge my Conscience, in being witness to his Name and Truth, & of the account which I certainly know […] give to him, caused me to speak as I did; and to […] more controversial Discourses. There is indeed one […] insisted on, which is now become a matter of scruple & […] aft to some amongst us, viz. that which concerns the Magistrates power in matters of Religion. But as it was […] me either intended or expressed, I know not to this […] why any one should be offended at it. I may better […] in this cause then some others, as having my self […] experience what it is to have Conscience imposed on, […] fore would be loth that any truly conscientious should be […]; and it is sufficiently known that I have a greate•• latitude & indulgence in the point of Toleration, […] man, better ⟨p. 36⟩then myself have. Nevertheless, I judge it most unreasonable that pretended liberty of Conscience, should be an Asylum for the profanest errors to take Sanctuary in: as though men must therefore have liberty to Profane Sabbaths or Sacraments, or set up an Altar against the Lords Altar, and their Threshold by his Threshold, and their Posts by his Posts, when and where they please. It can not be, but the Lord will be provoked by such things; especially in New-England, where men are not under such Temptations to forsake their assembling themselves together, as in some other places:
THe Title-Page prefixed to this Discourse, intimateth the Time and Occasion of its delivery. I had no cause to (nor did I) expect, that it would fall to 〈…〉 to speak before the choice was made; If I had, I would have used means to prevent that trouble from coming upon my self or others. But it may be, God did it to prove me and see whether I would please men or Christ. And I hope I may (in some measure) say after the Apostle, We are bold in our God to speak. Our Exhortation was not of deceit, but even so we speak not as pleasing men but God, which tryeth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, nor of men sought we glory. That great Reformer in Scotland, when upon his Death-bed, could say with comfort, That I did forbear none of what condition soever, I did it out of the fear of my God, who hath placed me in the function of his Ministry, and I know will bring me to an account. even so I must confess, the awfull sense of the great opportunity which the Lord put into my hands to discharge my Consciscience, in being witness to his Name and Truth, & of the account which I certainly know 〈…〉 give to him, caused me to speak as I did; and to 〈…〉 more controversal Discourses. There is indeed one 〈…〉 insisted on, which is now become a matter of scruple & 〈…〉 aft to some amongst us, viz. that which concerns the Magistrates power in matters of Religion. But as it was 〈…〉 me either intended or expressed, I know not to this 〈…〉 why any one should be offended at it. I may better 〈…〉 in this cause then some others, as having my self 〈…〉 experience what it is to have Conscience imposed on, 〈…〉 fore would be loth that any truly conscientious should be 〈…〉; and it is sufficiently known that I have a greate•• latitude & indulgence in the point of Toleration, 〈…〉 man, better ⟨p. 36⟩then myself have. Nevertheless, I judge it most unreasonable that pretended liberty of Conscience, should be an Asylum for the profanest errors to take Sanctuary in: as though men must therefore have liberty to Profane Sabbaths or Sacraments, or set up an Altar against the Lords Altar, and their Threshold by his Threshold, and their Posts by his Posts, when and where they please. It can not be, but the Lord will be provoked by such things; especially in New-England, where men are not under such Temptations to forsake their assembling themselves together, as in some other places:
