The inexcusableness of neglecting the worship of God, under a pretence of being in…

The Reasons of the Doctrine we,

1. There is no certain, knowledge who have Sanctifying Grace. If we should be limited by God, so that we might admit none to Church fellowship, but such as have Sanctifying Grace, we should be under extreme difficulties & great scruples of Conscience; for if we make the most exact search, we should often be very much mistaken, and in danger to accept of some that were not sincere, and to reject some that were sincere. There is no certain rule given in the Scripture to the guides of the Church, whereby they can distinguish Saints from Hypocrites; neither do many Persons know what to make of themselves: Some that are Godly have many fears whether their hearts be right in the sight of God: which is implied in that Precept, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give all diligence to make your Calling and your Election sure. And many Hypocrites have a great confidence that they are Saints, Joh. 9. 40. Are we blind also? It is not ⟨p. 15⟩to be imagined that God would give a Rule to his People that is impracticable: If that were the Rule that only Godly men, were to be admitted to communion in the Church, there is not knowledge enough upon Earth in order to the practice of it: the Church through their ignorance must wholly forbear acting: for their knowledge of other mens Piety is but a supposition, 1 Pet. 5. 12. By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I suppose. And particular Persons, would never be able to attend that Rule for want of the knowledge of themselves; some would exclude themselves, and others would obtrude themselves contrary to it, so that the Rule would come to nothing. Gods Rules are such that no man has any just cause to object against them: but if this were the Rule that Godly men only might enjoy Ordinances; the Church might object, that it is Gods prerogative to know the hearts of men, and we are utterly uncapable to attend that Rule.