It cannot now be justly offensive, that finding this letter public (by whose procurement I know not) I also present to the same public view, my formerly intended answer.
Times of inquiry after Christ.
I rejoice in the goodness and wisdom of him who is the Father of lights and mercies, in ordering the season both of mine own present opportunity of answer: as also and especially of such protestations and resolutions of so many fearing God, to seek what worship and worshippers are acceptable to him in Jesus Christ.
A golden speech of a parliament man.
Mine own ears were glad and late witnesses of a heavenly speech of one of the most eminent of that high assembly of parliament; viz., “Why should the labours of any be suppressed, if sober, though never so different? We now profess to seek God, we desire to see light,” &c.
Times when seeking of God comes too late.
I know there is a time when God will not be found, though men seek him early, Prov. i. [28.]
There is a time when prayer and fasting come too late, Jer. xiv. [10.]
There is a seeking of the God of Israel with a stumbling-block, according to which God giveth his Israel an answer, Ezek. xiv. [4.]
Lastly, there is a proud refusal of the mind of God returned in answer by the prophet, Jer. xlii. [13.]