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CHAP. LVI. Of many agreed Tremendous Circumstances and Principles which affright many from Conformity. (Book 56)
THere are also many general and collateral and cir∣cumstantial considerations that make men fear the guilt of Conformity the more.
What are those? I believe you will find as many of that sort of reasons on the other side to move you to Conform, if you consider them.
I will tell you what I mean, and then I will hear all that you have to say for it.
I. We are all agreed that no sin must be done for any commo∣dity, or on any pretence of good.
II. We are agreed that to pretend Gods Service, or Name for our sin is a heinous aggravation: To say, I must do evil to please God, to Preach and to win souls, is Prophaneness and Hypocrisy.
III. We are agreed that it is worse in a Minister of Christ than in others; because he is bound to be an example to the flock, who are apt to imitate him.
IV. It is granted that God is jealous about his worship, and that the profaning of Holy things, and sinning openly in the Sa∣cred Assemblies is, caecris paribus, worse than meer miscarriages in our Conversation.
V. Lying is by most acknowledged a great sin, as overthrow∣ing humane credit and converse: But especially in a Preacher, because it will tempt men never to believe him: And to say that we assent and consent, and that ex animo when we do not, is heinous lying.
VI. It is granted that man hath not a despotical power of his own understanding, to believe what he will: And that if any of his errours be vicious, vice and errour must have better cure than meer commands: And if men could know and be∣lieve what they will, they should will to believe nothing but what hath credible evidence, without a carnal biass.
VII. It is agreed that all men have errour, and therefore that erring men or no men must be tolerated in our Communion; and he that thinks otherwise condemneth himself, and teacheth all men to condemn him.