Cu A P.I . Ep flle to theTheyslonians. V E R. rI. on is matter of more curious inquirie. Meafures and Rules heerein fome thus affigne. Such Confeflion is fometimes an a& of Religion: fome- times, of Charity, fometimes,of Iuf}ice. When it falles to be an amt of Religion, as where without it the honour due to God and his Truth fhould fall to the ground, then it is duetyo to confeffie. When an a& of Charity, either by cou- rage to W inne an Alien,or to confirme a weakeling, or to preuent ApoRafie of the wauering, then a neceffary duty to confèffe.When au e r n a& of Iultice in refpe &of the perfon a man fufleines, or office hebeares, fuppofe of aTtacher orPaflour in the Church, then alto abfolutely neceffary. Howbeit, for our guidance to difcerne, when Religion, Charity or Iuflice requires it, they leaue. vs to the di&ate of Prudence. We maze our fettles fometimes in following Schoole- men. They are oft more wittie in railing doubts,then iu -. dicious in affoyling them. Thefe generals ofdire &ion are doubtlefle found. But when we are referred to ditlamenprudentia for Applica- tion, how are the Pimple Bill left vnfatisfied ? Wee haua a more lure word of Prophets and Apoflles; wee (hall doe well to attend thereto.That one Text of Pe. ter, as to my apprehenfion it founds, fpeakes more fully to guide vs, then all the voluminous writings of their An- gelicall and Seraphical) Do &ors.Thus you reade it. z. g Te ready alwaies to giue anfrver, or a. Apologie to euery one that, 3. Askes you a Reafon of the hope that is in you. The Rules are three. I. That fecundum Aninai praparationem, the precept of Coafeliìon alwaies bindes all : as that of Martyrdome : fo that we.muftbe ready, and refolued at all times to make confelhon of Faith, when God (hall call vs thereto, yea, though death Rand prefent to deuoure vs. This is that our Sauiour calls h taking vp our Crop dayly; this, as f ome interpret, Pauls' dying daily ; his carry ing his foule in his hand, ready to offer it vntoGod,whenfoe- uer heihould require it. And this is in confeffo. z.But when is the acluall performance neceffarie? Rd. When our 73 g r Pet.3,t §. I k Luke 9.23. i y Coc,13.31.
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