The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

USE I. For Information in a few things.

1. We may hence learn, That the best judgment that we can make of Professors, is but of Charity. There is a judgment which one Christian lawfully may, and sometimes ought to pass concerning another: and it is our duty, whenever we so do, to judge righteous judgment; and that is such which answers the Rule which God hath given us in his Word, to direct us in the censure that we pass one upon another. Now God hath seen it meet to reserve the knowledge of mens hearts immediately to himself; & our judgment can reach no farther than to the outward appearance; such is the difference expressed, 1 Sam. 16.7. man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart; and this is very uncertain. I cannot certainly know another's ⟨p. 65⟩state to be good, but by Revelation; though I may know the state of some to be bad, by observation, as he, Psal. 36.1. The transgression of the wicked, saith within mine heart, there is no fear of God before his eyes. The bond therefore of Christian Communion is Charity, which ought to think and hope the best of another, allowing for humane infirmities, and judging well of his honest and religious actions, and putting the best and most fair interpretation upon his dubious carriages; and there is a double charity here to be observed; sometimes that which is only Negative is the farthest that we can safely proceed unto; viz. we are not to conclude men to be in a state of sin, for such Spots as Gods Children may catch; and yet we cannot be without some fears or jealousies about them, when we see little or nothing positively to encourage us; however we suspend our determinate judgments; sometimes we have room for an Affirmative Charity, when we see that proceed from them, which bespeaks them in our hearts, to be Godly, and zealous Christians, because of their good and excellent Conversation. ⟨p. 66⟩