An humble inquiry into the rules of the Word of God, concerning the qualifications…

2. Those Rules, by all wise Lawgivers, are accounted wholesome, which prove of general good Tendency, notwithstanding any bad Consequences arising in some particular Instances. And as to the ecclesiastical Rule now in Question, of Admission to Sacraments on a Profession of Godliness, when attended with requisite Circumstances; although' this Rule in particular Instances may be an Occasion of some tender-hearted Christians abstaining, and some presumptuous Sinners being admitted, yet that don't hinder but that a proper Visibility of Holiness to the Eve of Reason, or a Probability of it in a Judgment of rational Christian Charity, may this Way be maintained, as the proper Qualification of Candidates for Admission: nor does it hinder but that it may be reasonable and wholesome for Mankind, in their outward Conduct, to regulate themselves by such Probability; and that this should be a reasonable and good Rule for the Church to regulate themselves by in their Admissions; notwithstanding it's so happening in particular Instances, that Things are really diverse from, yea the very Reverse of, what they are visibly, Such a Profession as has been insisted on, when attended with requisite Circumstances, carries in it a rational Credibility in the Judgment of Christian Charity: For it ought to be attended with an honest and sober Character, and with Evidences of good doctrinal Knowledge, and with all proper, careful and diligent Instructions of a prudent Pastor: And tho' the Pastor is not to act as a Searcher of the Heart, or a Lord of Conscience in this Affair, yet that hinders not but that he may & ought to enquire particularly into the Experiences of the Souls committed to his Care and Charge, that he may be under the best Advantages to instruct and advise them, to apply the Teachings and Rules of God's Word unto them, for their Self-Examination, to be Helpers of their Joy, and Promoters of their Salvation. However, finally, not any pretended extraordinary Skill of his in discerning the Heart, but the Persons own serious Profession concerning what he finds in his own Soul, after he has been well instructed, must regulate the public Conduct with Respect to him, where there is no other external visible Thing to contradict & over-rule it:

2. Those Rules, by all wise Lawgivers, are accounted wholesome, which prove of general good Tendency, notwithstanding any bad Consequences arising in some particular Instances. And as to the ecclesiastical Rule now in Question, of Admission to Sacraments on a Profession of Godliness, when attended with requisite Circumstances; altho' this Rule in particular Instances may be an Occasion of some tender-hearted Christians abstaining, and some presumptuous Sinners being admitted, yet that don't hinder but that a proper Visibility of Holiness to the Eve of Reason, or a Probability of it in a Judgment of rational Christian Charity, may this Way be maintained, as the proper Qualification of Candidates for Admission: nor does it hinder but that it may be reasonable and wholesome for Mankind, in their outward Conduct, to regulate themselves by such Probability; and that this should be a reasonable and good Rule for the Church to regulate themselves by in their Admissions; notwithstanding it's so happening in particular Instances, that Things are really diverse from, yea the very Reverse of, what they are visibly, Such a Profession as has been insisted on, when attended with requisite Circumstances, carries in it a rational Credibility in the Judgment of Christian Charity: For it ought to be attended with an honest and sober Character, and with Evidences of good doctrinal Knowledge, and with all proper, careful and diligent Instructions of a prudent Pastor: And tho' the Pastor is not to act as a Searcher of the Heart, or a Lord of Conscience in this Affair, yet that hinders not but that he may & ought to enquire particularly into the Experiences of the Souls committed to his Care and Charge, that he may be under the best Advantages to instruct and advise them, to apply the Teachings and Rules of God's Word unto them, for their Self-Examination, to be Helpers of their Joy, and Promoters of their Salvation. However, finally, not any pretended extraordinary Skill of his in discerning the Heart, but the Persons own serious Profession concerning what he finds in his own Soul, after he has been well instructed, must regulate the publick Conduct with Respect to him, where there is no other external visible Thing to contradict & over-rule it: