2. *Do _you_ beware of this. Take care, 1. That you do not convict yourself of _bigotry_, by your unreadiness to believe, that any man does cast out devils, who differs from you. And if you are clear thus far, if you acknowledge the fact, then examine yourself, secondly. Am I not convicted of _bigotry_ in this, in forbidding him, directly or indirectly? Do I not directly forbid him on this ground, because he is not of my _party_? Because he does not fall in with my _opinions_? Or because he does not worship God according to that scheme of _religion_, which I have received from my fathers?
3. *Examine yourself, do I not indirectly at least forbid him, on any of these grounds? Am I not sorry, that God should thus own and bless a man that holds such erroneous opinions? Do I not discourage him, because he is not of my church? By disputing with him concerning it, by raising objections, and by perplexing his mind with distant consequences? Do I shew no anger, contempt or unkindness of any sort, either in my words or actions? Do I not mention behind his back, his (real or supposed) faults? His defects or infirmities? Do not I hinder sinners from hearing his word? If you do any of these things, you are a _bigot_ to this day.
4. _Search me, O Lord, and prove me. Try out my reins and my heart! Look well if there be any way of_ bigotry _in me, and lead me in the way everlasting._ In order to examine ourselves throughly, let the case be proposed in the strongest manner. What if I were to see a Papist, an Arian, a Socinian casting out devils? If I did, I could not forbid even him, without convicting myself of _bigotry_. Yea, if it could be supposed, that I should see a Jew, a Deist, or a Turk doing the same, were I to forbid him either directly or indirectly, I should be no better than a _bigot_ still.
5. O stand clear of this. But be not content with not forbidding any that casts out devils. *’Tis well, to go thus far, but do not stop here. If you will avoid all _bigotry_, go on. In every instance of this kind, whatever the instrument be, acknowledge the finger of God. And not only acknowledge, but rejoice in his work and praise his name with thanksgiving. Encourage whomsoever God is pleased to employ, to give himself wholly up thereto. Speak well of him wheresoever you are: defend his character and his mission. Enlarge as far as you can his sphere of action. Shew him all kindness in word and deed. And cease not to cry to God in his behalf, that he may save both himself and them that hear him.
6. I need add but one caution. Think not, the _bigotry_ of another, is any excuse for your own. ’Tis not impossible, that one who casts out devils himself, may yet forbid you so to do. You may observe, this is the very case mentioned in the text. The apostles forbad another to do what they did themselves. But beware of retorting. It is not your part, to return evil for evil. Another’s not observing the direction of our Lord is no reason why you should neglect it. Nay, but let him have all the _bigotry_ to himself. If he forbids _you_, do not you forbid _him_. Rather labour and watch and pray the more, to confirm your love toward him. If he speaks all manner of evil of _you_, speak all manner of good (that is true) of _him_. Imitate herein that glorious saying of a great man (O that he had always breathed the same spirit!) “Let _Luther_ call me an hundred devils: I will still reverence him as a messenger of God.”