As to what concerns the Natural strength of man (saith he) Either I was under some mistake in my Expression, or you seem to be so, in your Apprehension. I never thought, and I hope, I have not said, for I cannot find it, that the Continuance of the Sabbath is to be commensurate unto the natural strength of man, but only that it is an Allowable mean of mens Continuance in Sabbath Duties; which I suppose you will not deny, lest you should cast ⟨p. 27⟩the Consciences of professors into inextricable Difficulties.
When first I engaged in that work, I intended not to have spoken one word about the practical Observation of the Day; but only to have endeavoured the Revival of a Truth which at present is despised and contemned among us, and strenuously opposed by sundry Divines of the United Provinces, who call the Doctrine of the Sabbath, F•gmenium Anglicanism. Upon the Desire of some Learned Men in these parts, it was, that I undertook the Vindication of it. Having now discharged the Debt, which in this matter I owed unto the Truth and Church of God, tho not as I ought, yet with such a composition as I hope, through' the Interposition of our Lord Jesus Christ might find acceptance with God and his Saints, I suppose I shall not again engage on that Subject.
I suppose there is scarce any one alive in the world, who hath more Reproaches cast upon him than I have; tho hitherto God has been pleased in some measure to support my spirit under them. I still relieved my self by this, That my poor Endeavours have sound acceptance with the Churches of Christ: But my holy, wise, and gracious Father, sees it needful to try me in this matter also; and what I have received from you (which it may be contains not your sense alone) hath printed deeper, and ⟨p. 28⟩left a greater impression upon my mind, than all the virulent Revilings, and false Accusations I have met withal, from my professed Adversaries. I do acknowledge unto you, that I have a dry and barren Spirit, and I do heartily beg your prayers, that the Holy. One would, notwithstanding all my sinful provocations, water me from above; but that I should now be apprehended to have given a wound unto Holiness in the Churches, 'tis one of the saddest frowns in the cloudy Brows of Divine Providence.
The Doctrine of the Sabbath, I have asserted, tho' not as it should be done, yet as well as I could;
As to what concerns the Natural strength of man (saith he) Either I was under some mistake in my Expression, or you seem to be so, in your Apprehension. I never thought, and I hope, I have not said, for I cannot find it, that the Continuance of the Sabbath is to be commensurate unto the natural strength of man, but only that it is an Allowable mean of mens Continuance in Sabbath Duties; which I suppose you will not deny, lest you should cast ⟨p. 27⟩the Consciences of professors into inextricable Difficulties.
When first I engaged in that work, I intended not to have spoken one word about the practical Observation of the Day; but only to have endeavoured the Revival of a Truth which at present is despised and contemned among us, and strenuously opposed by sundry Divines of the United Provinces, who call the Doctrine of the Sabbath, F•gmenium Anglicanism. Upon the Desire of some Learned Men in these parts, it was, that I undertook the Vindication of it. Having now discharged the Debt, which in this matter I owed unto the Truth and Church of God, tho not as I ought, yet with such a composition as I hope, thro' the Interposition of our Lord Jesus Christ might find acceptance with God and his Saints, I suppose I shall not again engage on that Subject.
I suppose there is scarce any one alive in the world, who hath more Reproaches cast upon him than I have; tho hitherto God has been pleased in some measure to support my spirit under them. I still relieved my self by this, That my poor Endeavours have sound acceptance with the Churches of Christ: But my holy, wise, and gracious Father, sees it needful to try me in this matter also; and what I have received from you (which it may be contains not your sense alone) hath printed deeper, and ⟨p. 28⟩left a greater impression upon my mind, than all the virulent Revilings, and false Accusations I have met withal, from my professed Adversaries. I do acknowledge unto you, that I have a dry and barren Spirit, and I do heartily beg your prayers, that the Holy. One would, notwithstanding all my sinful provocations, water me from above; but that I should now be apprehended to have given a wound unto Holiness in the Churches, 'tis one of the saddest frowns in the cloudy Brows of Divine Providence.
The Doctrine of the Sabbath, I have asserted, tho' not as it should be done, yet as well as I could;
