32 FORGIVENESS OF SIN. relish that in others, on which they feed themselves, and in which the life of their souls consists: unless their minds are blinded by temptation, or false opinions, or prejudice, they can, in their communion, discover that Spirit in each other which they are all made to drink into. This gives them the same likeness and image in the inward man, the same heavenly light in their minds, the same affections; and, being thus pre- pared and enabled to judge and discern of the state of each other in reference to their mutual duties, they have, moreover, the true rule of the word by which to judge of all spirits and spiritual effects. And this is the ground of all that love without dissimulation, and real communion among the saints of God in this world, But here two cautions must be suggested. We should not judge the state of any men in the world further than we are called thereto in a way of duty; and we are so called only with reference to the duties we are to perform towards them. What have we to do to judge them that are without, that is, any one that we have not a call to consider in reference to our own duty i "Judge not, that ye be not judged." Let us leave all men, the worst of men, unless where evi- dent duty requires more from us, to the judgment-seat of God. They are the servants of another, and they stand or fall to their own master. There have been great mistakes among us in this matter. Some have been ready to condemn all that go not along with them in every principle, yea, opinion or practice: and every day slight occasions and provocations are made the grounds of severe censure. But nothing is more con- trary to the conduct of the meek and holy spirit of
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