2. I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, if ye do account me a madman or a fool, yet _as a fool bear with me_. It is utterly needful that some one should use great plainness of speech towards you. It is more especially needful at _this_ time; for who knoweth but it is the _last_? Who knoweth how soon the righteous Judge may say, _I will no more be intreated for this people? Tho’ |Noah|, |Daniel|, and |Job|, were in this land, they should but deliver their own souls._ And who will use this plainness, if I do not? Therefore I, even I, will speak. And I adjure you, by the living God, that ye steel not your breasts against receiving a blessing at _my_ hands. Do not say in your heart, “_Non persuadebis, etiamsi persuaseris_: Or, in other words, Lord, thou shalt not _send, by whom thou wilt send_. Let me rather perish in my blood, than be saved by this man!” 3. _Brethren I am persuaded better things of you, tho’ I thus speak._ Let me ask you then, in tender love, and in the spirit of meekness, is this city a _Christian_ city? Is _Christianity, Scriptural Christianity_, found here? Are we, considered as a community of men, so _filled with the Holy Ghost_, as to enjoy in our hearts, and shew forth in our lives, the genuine fruits of that spirit? Are all the magistrates, all heads and governors of colleges and halls, and their respective societies, (not to speak of the inhabitants of the town) _of one heart and one soul_? Is _the love of God shed abroad in our hearts_? Are our tempers the same that were in him? Are our lives agreeable thereto? Are we _holy as he who hath called us is holy, in all manner of conversation_? 4. I intreat you to observe, that here are no _peculiar notions_ now under consideration; that the question moved is not concerning _doubtful opinions_, of one kind or an other; but concerning the undoubted, fundamental branches (if there be any such) of our _common Christianity_. And for the decision thereof, I appeal to your own conscience, guided by the word of God. He therefore that is not condemned by his own heart, let him go free.