Beames of former light,: discovering how evil it is to impose doubtfull and disputable formes or practises, upon ministers: especially under the penalty of ejection for non-conformity unto the same. As also something about catechizing.

§. 5.

Let it bee but seriously weigh∣ed, 1 What differences of Judg∣ment there are, and alwaies hath

been amongst those that are truly godly, and of some eminency. And then, 2 Take the variety of such persons or perswasions rather, that are in this, or some one, or part of an age, and accordingly sort them, as in a way of succession, five, ten, or twenty years one after another, (so providence might have dispo∣sed) And if each in its succession had been imposed, under this penal∣ty of ejection, if not owned. How long or how little time rather could any conscientious man bee likely to have held his Ministry? The variety of apprehensions amongst those of the same perswasion, the differences amongst Independents, as some have made them, and how reverend Mr. Cotton, now with God, contradicts himself, as Mr. Caudery would suppose (and it might have been more than his suppositi∣on) As likewise the greater varie∣ty amongst the Presbyterians, and in greater matters, as set down by

Bishop Bancroft, as also the con∣tradictions of one he mentions with himself and others; (I could give other instances) Is of better use than I beleeve was intended in bla∣soning the infirmities of godly men, namely to confirme this ex∣periment, That where the most conscientious search is made, there apprehensions may fall various in these smaller matters: yea and if a man, differ from himself also in respect of his former thoughts, it 〈…〉〈…〉 dishonour while in that state wherein he knows but in part. And few there bee that set them∣selves to a conscientious and un∣prejudiced search after truth; but know (comparing what apprehen∣sions they have had at several times) and must acknowledge, they have differed as much with themselves at times as they differ from other godly men at the pre∣sent.