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All this I allow may be: Mr. Mc. is a better politician than to waste his shot where this is no hope of success; and you are the more criminal in the sight of God, and every understanding Christian, to lead, by your example and exhortation, poor silly things into their private traps, who cannot resist being the children of error, and such twofold children of hell as heaven will never admit. I have the charity to believe your having heard from Mr. Mc. that doctrine and zeal you approve, and wish to inculcate in others, was your end in attending, and exhorting others to attend, without consideration of his reserved errors, and the consequences above. But let not that strengthen you to think no evil thereof, or that you may dwell in safety where Satan's seat is, and the doctrine of Balaam and the Nialations are held, though not publicly taught. If you read Rev. ii. 16, you will find you are there called to repent, and, if not, to expect the quick appearance of the Lord, to fight against you with the sword of his mouth. And I am much mistaken, if easy unconcerned professors for the afflictions of Joseph, shall long escape the righteous judgments of God. A bloody sword to Scotland! so long foretold by his servants, and now so near, that there are few professors in Scotland who do not scorn at the idea of God manifesting himself in such an extraordinary way to his people as to let them see and foretel things to come. For, say they, the canon of Scripture is now finished, and extraordinary gifts ceased, therefore, where is the coming of those judgments foretold? But this is no new thing for a people destined to destruction. Had not the antedeluvians, the Sodomites, and the unbelieving Jews, been so strengthened, they might have got repentance, and escaped destruction.
"I hope, Sir, you will pardon my freedom in
