G3 



under those sore trials and temptations, that not an ordinary 

 measure of true grace would be sufficient; to prevent a bewray- 

 ing of remaining corruption. 



8th, I am very much in the mind, and abundantly perswad- 

 ed, that God, for holy ends, though for what in particular is 

 best known to himself, has suffered the evil angels to delude us 

 on both hands ; but how far on the one side, or the other, is 

 much above me to say ; and if we cannot reconcile till we come 

 to a full discerning of those things, I fear we shall never come 

 to an agreement, or soonest not in this world. 



9th, Therefore, in fine, the matter being so dark and per- 

 plexed, as that there is no present appearance, that all God's 

 servants should be altogether of one mind in all circumstances, 

 touching the same, I do most heartily, fervently and humbly 

 beseech pardon of the merciful God, through the blood of Christ, 

 for all my mistakes and trespasses in so weighty a matter; and 

 also all your forgiveness of every offence, in this or other affairs, 

 wherein you see or conceive that I have erred and offended, pro- 

 fessing, in the presence of the Almighty God, that what I have 

 done has been, as for substance, as I apprehended was duty, 

 however through weakness, ignorance, &c., I may have been 

 mistaken. I also, through grace, promising each of you the 

 like of me, so again I beg, entreat and beseech you, that Satan 

 the devil, the roaring lion, the old dragon, the enemy of all 

 righteousness, may no longer be served by us, by our envy and 

 strifes ; where every evil work prevails, whilst these bear sway 

 James iii (14,15 ; 16,) but that all from this day forward, may 

 be covered with the mantle of love, and we may on all hands 

 forgive each other heartily, sincerely and thoroughly, as we do 

 hope and pray that God for Christ's sake would forgive each of 

 ourselves, (Matt — xviii. 21 to the end.) Coloss. iii. 12.13. Put 

 on therefore (as the elect of God, holy and beloved,) bowels of 

 mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffer- 

 ing ; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any 

 man have a quarrel against any ; even as Christ forgave you, 

 so also do ye — Eph. iv. 31.32, Let all bitterness, and anger, 

 and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all 

 malice, — and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, for- 

 giving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath for- 

 given you. Amen — Amen. 



SAMUEL PARRIS. 



Given to the dissenting brethren, for their consideration, at 

 their request. 



November, 2Qth, 1694." 



