§. XX.
Answ.I answer, Though that be granted, which I shall not deny, it will not infer that the Thing was good in itself, more than because Paul was met with by Christ to the converting of his Soul riding to Damascus to persecute the Saints, that he did well in so doing. Paul persecuting was converted, is therefore persecuting good?Neither particular Actions, nor yet whole Congregations, as we above observed, are to be measured by the Acts of God’s Condescension in Times of Ignorance. But besides, it hath oftentimes fallen out, that God, having a Regard to the Simplicity and Integrity either of the Preacher or Hearers, hath fallen in upon the Heart of a Preacher by his Power and holy Influence, and thereby hath led him to speak Things that were not in his premeditated Discourse, and which perhaps he never thought on before; and those passing Ejaculations and unpremeditated but living Exhortations, have proved more beneficial and refreshing both to Preacher and Hearers than all their premeditated Sermons. But all that will not allow them to continue in these Things which in themselves are not approved, but contrary to the Practice of the Apostles, when God is raising up a People to serve him, according to the primitive Purity and Spirituality; yea, such Acts of God’s Condescension, in Times of Darkness and Ignorance, should engage all more and more to follow him, according as he reveals his most perfect and spiritual Way.