







 
   
     
       
         Preparation to conversion, or, Faith's harbinger in a rare epistle, writ by a person of quality before his death, to his surviving friends, shewing, that Satan prevails most by deception of our reason, that the beauty of holiness and true wisdom is unseen to the world, that ingrateful persons are as witless as wicked, why most men hear the Gospel year after year, and are never the better, with wholsom instruction, to prevent destruction : all richly fraught with choise and pithy sentences, similitudes, examples, metaphors, rhetorical and pointed expressions, which being thought by many worth the transcribing at no small charge, is now committed to the press / by R. Young ...
         Younge, Richard.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A67764 of text R39195 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing Y176). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         ESTC R39195
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         107264
         
           
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             Preparation to conversion, or, Faith's harbinger in a rare epistle, writ by a person of quality before his death, to his surviving friends, shewing, that Satan prevails most by deception of our reason, that the beauty of holiness and true wisdom is unseen to the world, that ingrateful persons are as witless as wicked, why most men hear the Gospel year after year, and are never the better, with wholsom instruction, to prevent destruction : all richly fraught with choise and pithy sentences, similitudes, examples, metaphors, rhetorical and pointed expressions, which being thought by many worth the transcribing at no small charge, is now committed to the press / by R. Young ...
             Younge, Richard.
          
           16 p.
           
             Printed by Thomas Newcomb, and are to be sold by James Crump ...,
             London :
             1658.
          
           
             Caption title.
             Imprint from colophon.
             Imperfect: tightly bound amd stained, with print show-through.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Faith -- Biblical teaching.
           Calvinism -- England.
        
      
    
       A67764  R39195  (Wing Y176).  civilwar no Preparation to conversion, or, Faith's harbinger in a rare epistle, writ by a person of quality before his death, to his surviving friends, Younge, Richard 1658    10984 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 B  The  rate of 2 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           Preparation
           to
           Conversion
           ;
           
             Or
             ,
          
           Faith's
           Harbinger
           .
        
         
           
             In
             a
             rare
             
               Epistle
               ,
            
             writ
             by
             a
             Person
             of
             Quality
             before
             his
             death
             ,
             to
             his
             surviving
             Friends
             .
             
               Shewing
               ,
               That
            
             Satan
             
               prevails
               most
               by
               deception
               of
               our
               Reason
               :
               That
               the
               beauty
               of
               Holiness
               and
               true
               Wisdom
               is
               unseen
               to
               the
               World
               :
               That
               ingrateful
               persons
               are
               as
               witless
               as
               wicked
               :
               Why
               most
               men
               hear
               the
            
             Gospel
             
               year
               after
               year
               ,
               and
               are
               never
               the
               better
               :
               With
               wholsom
            
             instruction
             ,
             
               to
               prevent
            
             destruction
             .
             
               All
               richly
               fraught
               with
               choise
               and
               pithy
            
             Sentences
             ,
             Similitudes
             ,
             Examples
             ,
             Metaphors
             ,
             Rhetorical
             
               and
               pointed
            
             Expressions
             .
             
               Which
               being
               thought
               by
               many
               worth
               the
               Transcribing
               at
               no
               small
               charge
               ,
               is
               now
               committed
               to
               the
            
             Press
             by
             
               R.
               Young
            
             of
             
               Roxwel
            
             in
             
               Essex
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Much
             Respected
             ,
          
        
         
           IF
           you
           ask
           ,
           Why
           I
           take
           this
           pains
           ?
           Turn
           to
           
             Levit.
          
           19.17
           .
           
             Heb
          
           3.13
           .
           and
           you
           have
           there
           both
           my
           answer
           and
           warrant
           ;
           for
           I
           do
           but
           supply
           with
           my
           pen
           ,
           what
           I
           was
           bound
           to
           perform
           with
           my
           tongue
           .
           If
           for
           a
           President
           ?
           Take
           that
           of
           
             Photian
          
           ;
           who
           ,
           when
           a
           Friend
           of
           his
           would
           have
           cast
           himself
           away
           ,
           suffered
           him
           not
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             I
             was
             made
             thy
             Friend
             to
             this
             purpose
             .
          
           And
           he
           that
           
             loves
          
           not
           such
           a
           Friend
           ,
           
             hates
          
           himself
           .
           If
           ,
           why
           I
           have
           been
           silent
           so
           long
           ?
           These
           are
           the
           only
           reasons
           :
           Want
           of
           courage
           ,
           fear
           to
           displease
           ;
           and
           left
           you
           should
           think
           me
           to
           have
           had
           more
           
             Zeal
          
           then
           
             Wit
             ,
          
           and
           more
           
             Religion
             then
             Discretion
             :
          
           A
           case
           too
           common
           ;
           which
           makes
           me
           fear
           ,
           that
           what
           
             our
             Saviour
          
           says
           
             Mar.
          
           8.38
           .
           
             Whosoever
             shall
             be
             ashamed
             of
             me
             ,
             &c.
          
           will
           prove
           a
           dreadful
           Text
           to
           a
           great
           many
           :
           For
           who
           almost
           does
           not
           make
           a
           very
           
             Idol
             of
             Discretion
          
           ;
           and
           more
           fear
           the
           censures
           of
           
             men
             ,
          
           then
           the
           displeasure
           of
           
             God
             ?
          
           Men
           owe
           
             God
          
           some
           good
           will
           ,
           but
           (
           like
           those
           
             Rulers
             ,
             Joh.
          
           12.42
           .
           )
           they
           dare
           not
           shew
           it
           .
           They
           would
           
             please
             him
             ,
          
           yet
           so
           as
           they
           might
           not
           
             displease
             others
             ,
          
           nor
           
             themselves
             :
          
           Never
           considering
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           bears
           with
           his
           
             Friends
          
           vices
           ,
           makes
           them
           his
           
             own
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           in
           case
           you
           shall
           (
           with
           those
           Gentiles
           
             Rom
          
           10.20
           .
           )
           receive
           more
           good
           by
           it
           then
           you
           desire
           ,
           admire
           the
           providence
           and
           free
           grace
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           who
           
             will
             shew
             mercy
             to
             whom
             he
             will
             shew
             mercy
             ,
          
           Exod.
           33
           19.
           
           Rom.
           9.15
           .
           That
           little
           which
           
             Croesus
          
           learnt
           of
           
             Solon
             ,
          
           saved
           his
           life
           :
           And
           had
           
             Pilate
          
           taken
           that
           fair
           warning
           his
           
             wife
          
           gave
           him
           ,
           it
           might
           have
           saved
           his
           soul
           .
           Nor
           am
           I
           without
           hope
           to
           prevail
           with
           some
           of
           you
           ;
           since
           
             Nathan
          
           wrought
           more
           upon
           
             David
          
           by
           one
           private
           particular
           Admonition
           ,
           then
           all
           the
           
             Lectures
             of
             the
             Law
          
           could
           do
           for
           three
           quarters
           of
           a
           year
           together
           .
           However
           it
           were
           happy
           for
           millions
           ,
           were
           they
           so
           plainly
           dealt
           withall
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           be
           perswaded
           to
           
             hearken
             a
             while
             unto
             me
             ,
             as
             you
             would
             have
             Christ
             another
             day
             hearken
             unto
             you
             .
          
           Which
           that
           you
           may
           do
           ,
           I
           
           will
           even
           refer
           the
           point
           to
           your selves
           to
           determine
           .
           As
           let
           me
           propound
           
             your
             case
          
           in
           the
           
             person
          
           of
           another
           ,
           as
           the
           
             disguised
             Prophet
          
           dealt
           with
           
             Ahab
             ,
          
           1
           
             King.
          
           20.
           
             v.
          
           39.
           to
           43.
           
           Or
           as
           
             Christ
          
           dealt
           with
           the
           
             Priests
             ,
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Elders
             ,
          
           Luke
           20.
           
             v.
          
           1
           ,
           to
           20.
           
           The
           case
           is
           this
           .
        
         
           2
           ¶
           
             God
          
           in
           great
           love
           sent
           
             Sampson
          
           to
           deliver
           the
           men
           of
           
             Judah
          
           from
           the
           slavish
           thraldom
           of
           their
           enemies
           ;
           but
           they
           in
           requital
           binde
           him
           (
           in
           whom
           all
           their
           hope
           of
           deliverance
           lay
           )
           and
           deliver
           him
           up
           to
           those
           enemies
           that
           kept
           them
           under
           ;
           to
           the
           end
           they
           might
           
             slay
             him
             ,
          
           and
           still
           
             make
             slaves
             of
             them
             ,
             Judg.
          
           15.
           
           Again
           after
           this
           ,
           
             God
          
           sent
           unto
           their
           successors
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             his
             onely
             Son
          
           ;
           to
           the
           end
           he
           might
           
             heal
          
           their
           
             diseases
             ,
             feed
          
           their
           
             bodies
             ,
             inlighten
          
           their
           
             mindes
             ,
          
           and
           
             save
          
           their
           
             souls
          
           :
           And
           they
           in
           requital
           of
           all
           ,
           hate
           ,
           revile
           ,
           scourge
           and
           crucifie
           him
           ;
           though
           in
           killing
           him
           ,
           they
           did
           their
           utmost
           to
           
             split
          
           or
           
             sink
          
           the
           onely
           
             ship
          
           that
           could
           save
           them
           .
           Two
           rare
           and
           remarkable
           Examples
           !
        
         
           Now
           tell
           me
           what
           you
           think
           of
           these
           blockish
           
             Jews
             :
          
           Were
           they
           more
           
             wicked
             ,
          
           or
           
             witless
             ,
          
           or
           
             ingrateful
             ?
          
           I
           know
           you
           will
           answer
           me
           ,
           You
           
             cannot
             tell
          
           ;
           as
           the
           
             Priests
             ,
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Elders
          
           did
           
             our
             Saviour
             ,
          
           when
           the
           conscience
           of
           their
           own
           guiltiness
           had
           stopt
           their
           mouths
           ,
           
             Luke
          
           20.1
           ,
           to
           8.
           
           Or
           if
           you
           do
           make
           a
           satisfying
           answer
           ,
           it
           shall
           be
           like
           
             David's
             answer
          
           to
           
             Nathan's
             parable
             ,
          
           wherein
           he
           
             pronounced
             sentence
          
           of
           death
           
             against
             himself
             ,
          
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           12
           1
           ,
           to
           8.
           
           For
           it
           is
           your
           very
           Case
           ,
           if
           you
           had
           but
           eyes
           ,
           or
           the
           wit
           to
           see
           it
           .
           I
           mean
           all
           you
           ,
           who
           any
           way
           misuse
           ,
           or
           are
           ingrateful
           to
           your
           
             Ministers
          
           ;
           whom
           
             God
          
           out
           of
           his
           infinite
           love
           hath
           sent
           to
           be
           your
           
             Deliverers
          
           from
           the
           grievous
           slavery
           and
           
             thraldom
          
           you
           are
           in
           ,
           under
           
             Sin
             ,
             Satan
          
           and
           
             Hell
             .
          
           I
           know
           you
           think
           your selves
           
             wise
             men
             ,
          
           and
           
             Christians
             good
             enough
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           what
           but
           your
           high
           thoughts
           and
           good
           opinion
           of
           your selves
           ,
           hath
           brought
           you
           to
           become
           
             scorners
             of
             your
             Teachers
          
           and
           
             Instructors
             ,
          
           and
           more
           of
           their
           
             godly
             instruction
             ?
          
           As
           
             proud
             men
          
           are
           wont
           to
           admire
           their
           own
           actions
           ,
           but
           to
           abate
           the
           value
           and
           derogate
           from
           the
           esteem
           of
           others
           ;
           every
           whit
           as
           basely
           to
           
             vilifie
             other
             mens
          
           doings
           ,
           as
           they
           over-highly
           
             prise
             their
             own
             ,
          
           as
           
             Julian
          
           observes
           .
        
         
           But
           consider
           it
           rightly
           ,
           and
           
             this
          
           alone
           (
           could
           you
           be
           taxed
           with
           nothing
           
             but
             this
          
           )
           not
           onely
           shews
           you
           to
           be
           
             foolish
          
           and
           
             frantick
             ,
          
           but
           so
           
             ingrateful
          
           and
           
             wicked
          
           withal
           ,
           as
           if
           
             your
             wickedness
          
           and
           
             unthankfulness
          
           did
           
             strive
          
           with
           
             Gods
             goodness
          
           for
           the
           
             victory
          
           ;
           as
           
             Absalom
          
           strove
           with
           
             David
             ,
          
           whether
           the
           
             Father
          
           should
           be
           more
           
             kinde
          
           to
           the
           
             son
             ,
          
           or
           the
           
             son
          
           more
           
             unkinde
          
           to
           the
           
             Father
             .
          
        
         
           As
           what
           can
           you
           alleadge
           for
           your selves
           ,
           or
           against
           your
           
             Pastors
             ?
          
           Are
           they
           any
           other
           to
           you
           ,
           then
           those
           
             three
             Messengers-were
          
           to
           
             Lot
             ,
          
           that
           came
           to
           fetch
           him
           out
           of
           
             Sodom
             ,
          
           that
           he
           might
           not
           feel
           the
           
             fire
             and
             brimstone
          
           which
           followed
           ?
           
             Gen
          
           19.
           
           Or
           then
           the
           
             Angel
          
           was
           to
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           that
           
             opened
             the
             iron-gates
             ,
             loosed
             his
             bands
             ,
             brought
             him
             out
             of
             prison
             ,
             and
             delivered
             him
             from
             the
             thraldom
             of
             his
             enemies
             ?
             Acts
          
           12.
           
        
         
           3
           ¶
           What
           wrong
           do
           they
           do
           you
           ?
           They
           
             beg
          
           and
           
             dig
             ,
          
           they
           
             dig
          
           and
           
             beg
          
           ;
           as
           that
           good
           
             Vine-dresser
          
           did
           ,
           whose
           
             Mattock
          
           kept
           off
           the
           Masters
           
             Ax
             ,
             Luke
          
           13.8
           ,
           9.
           
           They
           
             beat
             their
             brains
             ,
          
           they
           
             spend
             their
             spirits
             ,
             
             pour
             out
             their
             prayers
             ,
          
           plot
           and
           
             contrive
             all
             they
             can
             to
             save
             your
             precious
             souls
             ,
          
           (
           were
           you
           but
           willing
           to
           be
           saved
           :
           )
           They
           bring
           you
           the
           glad
           tidings
           of
           
             salvation
          
           ;
           would
           furnish
           and
           endow
           you
           with
           the
           spiritual
           ,
           invaluable
           ,
           and
           lasting
           riches
           of
           
             grace
          
           and
           
             glory
          
           :
           They
           are
           content
           to
           waste
           themselves
           (
           like
           a
           
             candle
          
           )
           that
           they
           may
           
             give
             light
          
           unto
           ,
           and
           bring
           others
           to
           
             Heaven
             ,
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.19
           .
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           12.15
           .
           And
           do
           you
           ,
           instead
           of
           
             honoring
             ,
             respecting
          
           and
           
             rewarding
          
           them
           ,
           
             hate
             ,
             traduce
          
           and
           
             persecute
          
           them
           ?
           This
           is
           not
           for
           want
           of
           ignorance
           :
           For
           you
           shew
           just
           as
           much
           reason
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           those
           
             blinde
             ,
             deaf
             ,
             diseased
             ,
             possessed
             ,
             distracted
          
           or
           
             dead
          
           persons
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           should
           have
           railed
           upon
           
             our
             Saviour
          
           for
           offering
           to
           
             cure
             ,
             restore
             ,
             dispossess
             ,
             recover
          
           and
           
             raise
          
           them
           again
           :
           And
           had
           not
           they
           great
           reason
           so
           to
           do
           ?
           For
           shame
           think
           upon
           it
           :
           For
           did
           you
           know
           and
           rightly
           consider
           ,
           that
           you
           cannot
           be
           
             nourished
          
           unto
           eternal
           life
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           
             milk
          
           of
           the
           
             Word
          
           ;
           you
           would
           rather
           wish
           your
           
             bodies
          
           might
           be
           without
           
             souls
             ,
          
           then
           your
           
             Churches
          
           without
           
             Preachers
             :
          
           You
           would
           not
           ,
           like
           so
           many
           
             Mules
             ,
             suck
          
           their
           
             milk
             ,
          
           and
           then
           
             kick
             them
          
           with
           your
           
             heels
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           most
           plainly
           shews
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           so
           far
           from
           knowing
           the
           
             necessity
          
           and
           
             worth
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             life
             ,
          
           that
           you
           do
           not
           know
           you
           have
           
             souls
          
           ;
           which
           makes
           you
           as
           little
           care
           for
           them
           ,
           as
           you
           know
           them
           .
           Otherwise
           ,
           how
           could
           you
           make
           such
           a
           mighty
           difference
           between
           your
           
             bodies
          
           and
           
             souls
             ?
          
           As
           had
           any
           of
           you
           but
           
             a
             leg
          
           or
           
             an
             arm
          
           putrified
           and
           
             corrupt
             ,
          
           you
           would
           even
           
             give
             money
             ,
          
           and
           think
           your selves
           
             beholding
          
           too
           ,
           to
           have
           them
           
             cut
             off
          
           ;
           Because
           it
           is
           the
           onely
           way
           and
           means
           
             to
             preserve
             the
             whole
             body
             .
          
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           what
           love
           and
           thanks
           can
           be
           too
           much
           ,
           that
           is
           exprest
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           would
           (
           would
           we
           give
           them
           leave
           )
           
             pluck
             our
             Souls
             out
             of
             Satans
             clutches
             ,
          
           and
           bring
           us
           to
           eternal
           life
           ?
           Nor
           can
           he
           ever
           be
           
             thankfull
             to
             God
             ,
          
           who
           is
           not
           
             thankfull
             to
             the
             instrument
          
           or
           means
           by
           whom
           
             God
             does
             ,
          
           or
           
             would
             do
          
           him
           
             good
             .
          
           Yea
           more
           ,
           That
           man
           (
           I
           dare
           boldly
           affirm
           )
           cannot
           possibly
           have
           any
           interest
           is
           
             Christs
             blood
             ,
          
           who
           is
           not
           forced
           with
           Admiration
           to
           say
           ,
           
             How
             beautifull
             are
             the
             feet
             of
             them
             that
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             of
             peace
             ,
             bring
             glad
             tidings
             of
             good
             things
             ,
             and
             publish
             salvation
             !
             Rom.
          
           10.15
           .
           
             Isa.
          
           52.7
           .
           But
           to
           prove
           and
           cleer
           this
           ,
           see
           both
           
             Examples
             ,
          
           and
           
             Testimonies
             .
          
        
         
           4.
           
           ¶
           First
           ,
           Examples
           .
           The
           
             Galatians
          
           are
           said
           to
           have
           received
           them
           as
           
             Angels
             of
             God
             ,
          
           yea
           ,
           even
           as
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ;
           and
           that
           to
           pleasure
           them
           ,
           they
           
             would
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             been
             possible
             ,
             have
             pluck'd
             out
             their
             own
             eyes
             ,
             and
             have
             given
             the
             same
             unto
             them
             ,
             Gal.
          
           4.14
           ,
           15.
           and
           thought
           it
           their
           
             duty
             ,
             to
             communicate
             unto
             them
             in
             all
             their
             goods
             ,
             Gal.
          
           6.6
           .
           And
           likewise
           the
           
             Romans
             ,
             Rom.
          
           15.27
           .
           Yea
           ,
           by
           the
           Apostles
           testimony
           ,
           we
           that
           are
           converted
           do
           owe
           even
           our
           own
           selves
           unto
           
             our
             spiritual
             Pastors
             ,
             Phil.
          
           19.
           and
           the
           like
           of
           other
           
             Churches
          
           :
           Insomuch
           that
           
             Luther
          
           (
           speaking
           of
           the
           
             Primitive
             times
             ,
          
           and
           of
           
             Christians
          
           in
           general
           )
           says
           that
           so
           soon
           as
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           took
           root
           in
           mens
           hearts
           ,
           the
           glad
           tidings
           of
           salvation
           by
           
             Christ
          
           was
           so
           sweet
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           in
           comparison
           thereof
           
             riches
          
           had
           
             no
             relish
             .
          
           And
           
             Acts
          
           2.44
           ,
           45.
           and
           4.34
           ,
           35.
           do
           sufficiently
           confirm
           the
           
           same
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           who
           ever
           knew
           what
           
             Conversion
          
           and
           
             Regeneration
          
           was
           ;
           who
           hath
           
             tasted
             of
             the
             powers
             of
             the
             world
             to
             come
             ,
          
           and
           
             enjoyed
             the
             joy
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             peace
             of
             conscience
             which
             passeth
             all
             understanding
             ?
          
           but
           would
           rather
           have
           their
           
             bodies
          
           want
           
             food
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Firmament
          
           want
           
             light
             ,
          
           then
           that
           their
           
             souls
          
           should
           want
           that
           
             light
          
           and
           
             spiritual
             food
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           by
           which
           they
           are
           nourished
           and
           do
           live
           ?
           For
           ,
           far
           better
           be
           
             unborn
             ,
          
           then
           
             untaught
             ,
          
           as
           
             Alexander
          
           a
           meer
           Heathen
           could
           say
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           is
           
             the
             one
             onely
             thing
             necessary
             ,
          
           and
           which
           
             Believers
          
           prize
           above
           all
           ,
           you
           may
           see
           by
           what
           holy
           
             David
          
           says
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Ps.
          
           27.4
           .
           &
           84.1
           ,
           to
           11.
           
           &
           119.1403
           .
           
             One
             thing
             have
             I
             desired
             ,
             &c.
             
             Oh
             how
             sweet
             is
             thy
             word
             unto
             me
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           As
           turn
           but
           to
           the
           places
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           he
           expresseth
           himself
           ;
           for
           I
           may
           but
           touch
           upon
           things
           .
           And
           the
           like
           of
           
             wise
             Solomon
             ,
             Pro.
          
           8.10
           .
           True
           ,
           to
           you
           that
           are
           
             strangers
             to
             ,
          
           and
           utterly
           
             unacquainted
             with
          
           these
           
             soul-ravishing
             enjoyments
             ,
          
           these
           things
           will
           appear
           impossible
           ;
           as
           the
           like
           did
           to
           
             Nicodemus
          
           touching
           
             Regeneration
             ,
             Joh.
          
           3.4
           .
           and
           to
           that
           
             multitude
             of
             Jews
          
           touching
           
             Stephens
             vision
             ,
          
           when
           he
           told
           them
           how
           he
           
             saw
             the
             heavens
             opened
             ,
             and
             Jesus
             standing
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             God
             in
             glory
             :
          
           Which
           they
           were
           so
           far
           from
           believing
           ,
           that
           it
           made
           
             their
             hearts
             brast
          
           for
           madness
           ,
           to
           
             gnash
             their
             teeth
             ,
             stop
             their
             ears
             ,
             cast
             him
             out
             of
             the
             city
             ,
             and
             stone
             him
             to
             death
             ,
             Acts
          
           7.54
           ,
           to
           60.
           
           They
           could
           not
           possibly-believe
           ,
           that
           
             he
          
           should
           
             see
          
           what
           was
           
             hid
          
           to
           every
           one
           of
           
             them
             .
          
        
         
           But
           this
           I
           can
           assure
           you
           ,
           (
           even
           you
           my
           friends
           )
           beyond
           all
           exceptions
           ;
           That
           if
           ever
           the
           
             mask
             of
             prejudice
          
           be
           taken
           from
           before
           your
           sight
           ,
           or
           if
           your
           
             eyes
          
           shall
           be
           
             opened
          
           before
           you
           
             drop
          
           into
           
             Hell
             ,
          
           you
           will
           have
           other
           thoughts
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           the
           Publishers
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           be
           clean
           of
           another
           minde
           ;
           yea
           ,
           you
           will
           
             loath
             what
             you
          
           now
           
             love
             ,
          
           and
           
             love
             what
             you
          
           now
           
             loath
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           I
           dare
           refer
           my self
           in
           this
           case
           to
           the
           very
           
             damned
             in
             hell
             :
          
           For
           what
           else
           made
           
             Dives
             ,
          
           being
           in
           those
           
             torments
             ,
          
           desire
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           that
           
             one
             might
             be
             sent
             unto
             his
             brethren
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             to
             give
             them
             warning
             ,
          
           and
           to
           acquaint
           them
           with
           his
           success
           ,
           but
           the
           alteration
           of
           his
           judgment
           ?
           And
           you
           ,
           know
           how
           that
           Reprobate
           
             Balaam
          
           wish'd
           to
           
             die
             the
             death
             of
             the
             righteous
          
           ;
           though
           for
           the
           present
           he
           
             preferred
          
           and
           loved
           
             riches
          
           and
           
             honor
          
           before
           and
           
             above
             his
             soul
             .
          
           But
           ,
        
         
           5
           ¶
           Secondly
           ,
           see
           
             precepts
          
           and
           
             testimonies
          
           to
           confirm
           it
           .
           Are
           we
           not
           commanded
           by
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             to
             have
             them
             in
             singular
             love
             ,
             and
             count
             them
             worthy
             of
             double
             honor
             for
             their
             works
             sake
             ?
          
           1
           Thes.
           5.13
           .
           1
           Tim.
           5.17
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           words
           are
           not
           only
           ,
           
             Let
             them
             that
             labour
             in
             the
             word
             and
             doctrine
             be
             accounted
             worthy
             of
             double
             honor
          
           ;
           but
           he
           adds
           ,
           
             He
             who
             preacheth
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             should
             live
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.7
           ,
           to
           15.
           saying
           also
           ,
           
             Let
             him
             that
             is
             taught
             in
             the
             word
             ,
             communicate
             unto
             him
             that
             teacheth
             in
             all
             his
             goods
             ,
             Gal.
          
           6.6
           .
           Yea
           ,
           if
           any
           man
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           does
           not
           communicate
           ,
           and
           communicate
           in
           all
           his
           goods
           ,
           
             God
             is
             not
             mocked
             ,
          
           v.
           7.
           
           So
           it
           falls
           ,
           and
           I
           fear
           it
           
             falls
             heavy
             on
             many
          
           amongst
           us
           .
           Again
           says
           the
           same
           Apostle
           ,
           
             If
             we
             have
             sown
             unto
             you
             spiritual
             things
             ,
             is
             it
             a
             great
             thing
             if
             we
             reap
             your
             carnal
             things
             ?
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.11
           .
           
             Do
             ye
             not
             know
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             
             minister
             about
             holy
             things
             ,
             live
             of
             the
             things
             of
             the
             Temple
             ?
             and
             they
             which
             wait
             at
             the
             Altar
             ,
             are
             partakers
             with
             the
             Altar
             ,
             &c.
          
           v.
           13
           ,
           14.
           
           Again
           ,
           does
           he
           not
           say
           ,
           that
           
             our
             debt
             and
             duty
          
           (
           he
           terms
           it
           not
           
             benevolence
          
           )
           to
           our
           
             Spiritual
             Pastors
          
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           that
           
             we
             owe
             unto
             them
             even
             our
             own
             selves
             ,
             Phil.
          
           19.
           with
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           of
           the
           like
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           meet
           with
           mens
           carnal
           reasonings
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           a
           few
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           
           All
           which
           is
           
             New
             Testament
          
           too
           ,
           if
           obstinacy
           would
           permit
           men
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Thus
           you
           see
           how
           you
           ought
           to
           esteem
           and
           reward
           your
           
             Ministers
          
           ;
           and
           how
           
             Believers
          
           do
           ,
           and
           
             have
             done
             .
          
           Whereas
           you
           ,
           (
           as
           if
           you
           were
           
             Antipathites
          
           to
           all
           
             wisdom
          
           and
           
             goodness
          
           )
           
             hate
             ,
             revile
             ,
             slight
             ,
             rob
          
           and
           
             persecute
          
           them
           .
           Are
           you
           not
           ashamed
           of
           it
           ?
           does
           it
           not
           make
           you
           tremble
           ?
           yea
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           enough
           to
           make
           you
           despair
           of
           ever
           finding
           
             mercy
             at
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ,
          
           or
           of
           having
           
             Christ
          
           your
           
             Redeemer
          
           and
           
             Advocate
             ?
          
           to
           whom
           ,
           and
           for
           whose
           sake
           you
           do
           it
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           suddenly
           shew
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           will
           say
           (
           for
           want
           of
           acquaintance
           with
           the
           
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           your
           
             own
             hearts
          
           ;
           as
           every
           Natural
           man
           is
           as
           great
           a
           stranger
           to
           his
           own
           heart
           ,
           as
           
             Hazael
          
           was
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           be
           perswaded
           by
           the
           
             Prophet
          
           that
           he
           should
           commit
           such
           abominable
           wickedness
           ,
           as
           a
           while
           after
           it
           fell
           out
           ;
           )
           
             That
             you
             neither
             hate
             ,
             nor
             persecute
             any
             one
             of
             them
             .
          
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           :
           What
           then
           makes
           you
           so
           
             spightful
             ,
          
           in
           
             spitting
             out
             your
             spleen
          
           against
           them
           ,
           when
           you
           but
           hear
           a
           
             Minister
          
           mentioned
           ?
           What
           makes
           you
           so
           frequent
           in
           
             slighting
             ,
             scorning
             ,
             and
             scoffing
             at
             them
             where
             ever
             you
             come
             ,
          
           and
           in
           all
           companies
           ?
           What
           makes
           you
           pick
           so
           many
           holes
           in
           their
           coats
           ,
           finde
           so
           many
           faults
           with
           them
           ,
           raise
           so
           many
           objections
           (
           if
           not
           lies
           )
           against
           them
           ;
           that
           nothing
           they
           either
           
             do
             ,
          
           or
           
             deliver
             ,
          
           can
           please
           you
           ?
           As
           how
           many
           of
           your
           cavils
           and
           exceptions
           could
           I
           reckon
           up
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           heard
           from
           your
           own
           mouths
           ,
           if
           I
           would
           foul
           Paper
           with
           them
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           I
           could
           give
           you
           a
           large
           List
           of
           instances
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           own
           expressions
           :
           But
           they
           are
           so
           
             trivial
             ,
             barbarous
          
           and
           
             base
             ,
          
           that
           I
           am
           
             ashamed
             ,
          
           to
           nominate
           them
           ;
           and
           
             no
             less
             unwilling
             ,
             lest
             I
             should
             arm
             other
             mad
             men
             with
             your
             weapons
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           do
           but
           lay
           aside
           dissimulation
           ,
           and
           speak
           the
           naked
           truth
           ;
           and
           then
           say
           ,
           whether
           all
           this
           proceeds
           nor
           from
           
             an
             heart
          
           full
           
             fraught
             with
             enmity
          
           and
           
             malice
          
           against
           the
           
             Ministery
             ,
          
           even
           for
           the
           very
           
             graces
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
          
           that
           shines
           in
           them
           ?
           As
           it
           fared
           with
           that
           
             Councel
             of
             Priests
             ,
             Scribes
             and
             Elders
          
           touching
           
             Steven
             ,
             Acts
          
           6.15
           .
           &
           7.54
           .
           Do
           but
           examine
           your
           Consciences
           well
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           not
           deny
           it
           .
        
         
           6
           ¶
           Again
           ,
           what
           makes
           you
           that
           are
           
             so
             civil
          
           in
           other
           cases
           ,
           
             so
             uncivil
             ,
          
           as
           not
           to
           afford
           them
           of
           all
           other
           men
           the
           common
           Title
           of
           [
           
             Master
             such
             an
             one
          
           ]
           which
           you
           will
           not
           deny
           to
           a
           very
           Cobler
           ?
           Can
           you
           tell
           me
           ?
           No
           ,
           I
           dare
           challenge
           the
           strongest
           brain'd
           
             Achitophel
             ,
          
           
           or
           the
           most
           fluent
           
             Tertullus
          
           amongst
           you
           ,
           to
           yield
           a
           wise
           reason
           thereof
           :
           except
           that
           which
           
             God
          
           hath
           set
           down
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           3
           ,
           15.
           
           
             I
             will
             put
             enmity
             between
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             serpent
             and
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             woman
             .
          
        
         
           But
           further
           to
           convince
           you
           ,
           answer
           me
           another
           question
           :
           What
           makes
           you
           to
           detain
           their
           dues
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           not
           pay
           them
           a
           penny
           except
           you
           be
           forced
           to
           it
           ?
           Or
           if
           you
           do
           for
           your
           
             peace
          
           or
           
             credit
          
           sake
           ,
           
             any
             thing
          
           is
           thought
           
             too
             much
          
           for
           your
           
             Minister
          
           ;
           and
           what
           you
           part
           with
           ,
           is
           drawn
           from
           you
           as
           so
           much
           
             blood
             from
             the
             heart
             .
          
           And
           then
           also
           you
           will
           basely
           asperse
           him
           ;
           at
           least
           you
           will
           alleadge
           one
           thing
           or
           other
           to
           save
           your
           purses
           ;
           as
           ,
           He
           had
           not
           my
           voice
           nor
           consent
           when
           he
           was
           chosen
           ;
           or
           ,
           I
           hear
           at
           other
           
             Churches
             ,
          
           and
           come
           not
           at
           him
           ;
           or
           ,
           I
           like
           not
           his
           preaching
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           :
           As
           
             any
             thing
          
           shall
           
             serve
             ,
             to
             save
             your
             silver
             ,
          
           and
           to
           forestal
           you
           with
           prejudice
           ,
           and
           make
           you
           resolve
           against
           your
           own
           Conversion
           :
           For
           what
           is
           this
           ,
           but
           to
           
             pick
             straws
             ,
          
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           
             to
             put
             out
             your
          
           own
           
             eyes
          
           withal
           ?
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           many
           they
           be
           ,
           that
           will
           
             pretend
             conscience
          
           (
           forsooth
           )
           
             that
             they
             may
             rob
             their
             Minister
          
           ;
           and
           alleadge
           ,
           That
           he
           hath
           taken
           Degrees
           ,
           is
           Ordained
           ,
           He
           is
           a
           Black-coat
           :
           Or
           rather
           which
           is
           the
           same
           in
           effect
           ,
           He
           is
           a
           conscientious
           Pastor
           ,
           or
           
             Sheperd
             of
             Christs
             sending
             ,
          
           and
           
             not
             an
             Intruder
             .
          
        
         
           But
           left
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           should
           not
           prove
           sufficient
           ;
           how
           basely
           will
           you
           calumniate
           him
           that
           but
           takes
           his
           Dues
           ,
           especially
           of
           a
           poor
           body
           ?
           Ministers
           ,
           more
           then
           all
           the
           world
           besides
           ,
           must
           take
           
             a
             restern
          
           for
           
             a
             shilling
             .
          
           And
           not
           he
           alone
           shall
           suffer
           ,
           but
           all
           these
           Church-men
           (
           say
           you
           )
           are
           so
           covetous
           ,
           that
           they
           never
           think
           they
           have
           enough
           :
           when
           they
           have
           scarce
           enough
           to
           fill
           the
           bellies
           of
           their
           own
           families
           .
           All
           which
           not
           onely
           argues
           you
           as
           
             brainless
             as
             beasts
             ,
          
           but
           proves
           you
           to
           be
           as
           
             full
             of
             the
             serpents
             enmity
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             egg
             of
             a
             Cockatrice
          
           is
           
             full
             of
             poyson
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           
             every
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
          
           shall
           serve
           their
           turns
           ,
           that
           study
           quarrels
           :
           Even
           as
           a
           
             crocked
             stick
          
           shall
           serve
           to
           
             beat
             a
             dog
             ,
          
           when
           a
           
             straight
             one
          
           cannot
           be
           found
           .
        
         
           Now
           lay
           all
           together
           ,
           and
           tell
           me
           whether
           this
           argues
           not
           
             hatred
             ?
          
           if
           not
           ,
           what
           can
           ?
           For
           
             love
          
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           witnesseth
           )
           
             suffereth
             long
             ,
             it
             is
             kinde
             ,
             charitable
             ,
             envieth
             not
             ,
             doth
             not
             behave
             it self
             unseemly
             ,
             seeketh
             not
             her
             own
             ,
             is
             not
             easily
             provoked
             ,
             thinketh
             no
             evil
             ,
             rejoyceth
             not
             in
             iniquity
             ,
             beareth
             all
             things
             ,
             endureth
             all
             things
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           13.
           
           Yea
           ,
           love
           is
           so
           far
           from
           
             finding
             faults
             where
             are
             none
             ,
          
           that
           (
           as
           
             wise
             Solomon
          
           hath
           it
           )
           it
           
             covereth
          
           or
           
             passes
             over
          
           all
           sins
           ,
           and
           
             will
             not
             see
             them
             ,
             Prov.
          
           10.12
           .
           So
           that
           if
           you
           loved
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           as
           you
           will
           pretend
           you
           do
           ,
           you
           would
           deal
           by
           them
           ,
           as
           
             the
             people
          
           did
           by
           
             Ulysses
          
           ;
           whom
           they
           so
           applauded
           for
           the
           acuteness
           of
           an
           
             ingenious
             minde
             ,
          
           that
           they
           spared
           to
           object
           unto
           him
           his
           
             bodily
             deformities
          
           ;
           Or
           if
           any
           one
           did
           shew
           the
           least
           malignity
           towards
           him
           ,
           that
           person
           was
           branded
           for
           a
           notorious
           wicked
           man
           ,
           as
           
             Homer
          
           relates
           .
           And
           to
           speak
           rightly
           ,
           we
           need
           say
           no
           more
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           then
           —
           He
           is
           an
           Enemy
           to
           his
           faithfull
           
             Pastor
          
           ;
           that
           is
           enough
           to
           brand
           him
           :
           Nor
           can
           there
           be
           a
           greater
           argument
           of
           his
           being
           of
           
             the
             brood
             of
             Cain
             ,
             
             Haman
             ,
             Eliah
             ,
             Michol
             ,
             Doeg
             ,
             Shimei
             ,
             Ahab
             ,
             Rabshekah
             ,
             Tobiah
             ,
             Sanballar
             ,
             Pashur
             ,
             Zedekiah
             ,
             Elymus
             ,
             Herodias
             ,
          
           and
           their
           fellows
           ,
           then
           the
           hatred
           of
           good
           Ministers
           .
           For
           such
           men
           would
           do
           the
           same
           to
           
             Christ
             himself
             ,
          
           were
           he
           their
           
             Minister
             .
          
           There
           was
           never
           any
           so
           
             innocent
          
           or
           
             vertuous
             ,
          
           to
           whom
           such
           
             Belialists
          
           took
           not
           exceptions
           ;
           because
           
             they
          
           are
           as
           deeply
           
             in
             love
             with
             vice
             ,
          
           as
           
             others
          
           are
           
             with
             vertue
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           whom
           all
           men
           commend
           ,
           you
           have
           some
           
             Thersites
          
           will
           take
           occasion
           to
           blast
           .
           I
           'll
           give
           you
           
             an
             ear-mark
             to
             know
             such
             a
             one
             by
          
           :
           whereas
           one
           of
           the
           modester
           fort
           will
           alledge
           ,
           his
           Minister
           is
           a
           
             Presbyterian
             ,
          
           or
           an
           
             Independent
             ,
          
           or
           a
           
             Royalist
          
           ;
           this
           overgrown
           
             Tead
          
           will
           object
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           a
           
             Roundhead
          
           ;
           the
           meaning
           whereof
           is
           ,
           a
           
             Religious
             ,
             Godly
             ,
             Conscientious
          
           man
           .
        
         
           7
           ¶
           But
           perhaps
           this
           is
           not
           your
           case
           .
           Suppose
           it
           be
           not
           ;
           yet
           what
           I
           have
           before
           convicted
           you
           of
           ,
           is
           sufficient
           to
           prove
           you
           
             a
             souldier
             belonging
             to
             that
             great
             Red
             Dragon
             ,
             that
             fighteth
             against
             Michael
             and
             his
             Angels
             ,
          
           Rev.
           12.
           
           
             Who
             ,
          
           when
           his
           hands
           are
           bound
           ,
           
             casteth
             a
             flood
             of
             reproaches
             out
             of
             his
             mouth
             against
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             remnant
             of
             her
             seed
             which
             keep
             the
             commandments
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             testimonie
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           v.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           
           But
           you
           are
           not
           at
           all
           versed
           in
           
             Scripture
          
           ;
           therefore
           we
           'll
           come
           to
           
             Reason
             ,
          
           and
           therein
           answer
           me
           a
           few
           questions
           .
        
         
           Do
           you
           do
           by
           the
           
             Ministers
          
           as
           you
           ought
           ,
           or
           as
           you
           would
           be
           done
           by
           ?
           Would
           you
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           discharged
           your
           
             duty
          
           and
           
             conscience
          
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           your
           
             endeavour
             ,
          
           have
           
             ill
             constructions
          
           made
           of
           your
           
             best
             actions
          
           and
           
             intentions
             ?
          
           be
           rewarded
           with
           the
           
             greatest
             evil
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             greatest
             good
          
           ;
           and
           the
           
             greatest
             hatred
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             most
             superlative
             love
             ?
          
           (
           For
           ,
           
             love
             to
             the
             soul
             ,
          
           is
           
             the
             very
             soul
             of
             love
             .
          
           )
           Is
           this
           an
           evidence
           that
           you
           have
           them
           in
           singular
           respect
           for
           their
           works
           sake
           ?
           Is
           this
           to
           receive
           them
           as
           an
           
             Angel
             of
             God
             ,
          
           yea
           ,
           as
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           ?
           Is
           this
           to
           make
           them
           partakers
           of
           all
           your
           goods
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           willing
           to
           pluck
           out
           your
           own
           eyes
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           them
           if
           need
           were
           ,
           as
           
             God
          
           commands
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           
             godly
          
           have
           been
           willing
           to
           do
           ?
           I
           think
           not
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           ,
           if
           you
           may
           be
           your
           own
           Judges
           ,
           you
           will
           (
           during
           the
           time
           of
           this
           your
           prejudice
           )
           think
           all
           but
           little
           or
           nothing
           .
           But
           if
           the
           
             Word
             of
             God
          
           be
           consulted
           with
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           
             persecution
          
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           :
           Like
           that
           of
           
             Ahab
          
           and
           
             Jesabel
          
           to
           
             Elias
          
           ;
           or
           that
           of
           
             Herod
          
           and
           
             Herodias
          
           to
           
             John
             Baptist
          
           ;
           or
           that
           of
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
          
           against
           
             our
             Saviour
          
           :
           for
           they
           did
           but
           express
           their
           utmost
           spight
           to
           
             Gods
             Messengers
          
           that
           came
           to
           save
           them
           ;
           and
           so
           do
           you
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           sure
           rule
           :
           He
           that
           now
           under
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           shews
           a
           spightfull
           and
           a
           malicious
           minde
           to
           a
           godly
           zealous
           
             Minister
          
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           lived
           in
           
             Christs
          
           dayes
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           been
           ready
           to
           have
           driven
           the
           first
           
             nail
             into
             his
             body
             ,
          
           and
           rather
           have
           been
           for
           
             Barrabas
          
           then
           
             Jesus
             .
          
           And
           
             God
          
           measures
           
             what
             we
             do
             ,
          
           by
           
             what
             we
             would
             do
             ,
          
           whether
           in
           
             good
          
           or
           
             evil
             .
             Thoughts
          
           and
           
             Desires
             ,
          
           in
           
             Gods
          
           account
           ,
           are
           
             good
          
           and
           
             evil
             works
          
           :
           Neither
           does
           he
           
             punish
          
           or
           
             reward
          
           any
           thing
           but
           
             the
             Will
             .
          
        
         
           Again
           ,
           whereas
           you
           think
           not
           
             Tongue-taunts
          
           to
           be
           
             persecution
          
           ;
           you
           
           shall
           one
           day
           (
           if
           you
           go
           on
           )
           hear
           it
           pronounced
           so
           ,
           in
           your
           
             Bill
             of
             Indictment
             .
             Ishmael
          
           did
           but
           
             flout
             Isaac
             ,
          
           yet
           S.
           
             Paul
          
           saith
           he
           persecuted
           him
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           4.29
           .
           
             God
          
           calls
           the
           scorning
           of
           his
           servants
           by
           no
           better
           a
           name
           then
           persecution
           .
           
             Cham
          
           did
           but
           
             scoff
          
           at
           
             Noah
             ,
          
           yet
           that
           scoff
           brought
           his
           
             fathers
             curse
          
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           
             Gods
             upon
             that
             .
          
           Even
           
             the
             serpents
             hissing
             betrays
             his
             malice
             .
          
           Those
           
             two
             and
             forty
             little
             children
          
           (
           though
           but
           children
           )
           
             were
             devoured
             of
             wild
             Bears
             ,
             for
             only
             scoffing
             at
             the
             Prophets
             bald
             head
             ,
          
           2
           
             King.
          
           2.24
           .
           A
           small
           matter
           ,
           if
           Sensualists
           may
           be
           Judge
           .
           But
           whatever
           you
           conceive
           of
           it
           ,
           let
           all
           ,
           even
           
             heart
             and
             tongue-persecution
          
           be
           
             as
             far
             from
             my
             soul
             ,
             as
             my
             soul
             from
             hell
             .
          
           For
           assuredly
           ,
           
             God
          
           will
           one
           day
           
             laugh
             you
             to
             scorn
             ,
             for
             laughing
             his
             to
             scorn
          
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           
             despise
             you
             ,
          
           that
           have
           
             despised
             him
             in
             his
             Ambassadors
             .
          
        
         
           8
           ¶
           Again
           ,
           you
           think
           it
           nothing
           ,
           or
           no
           great
           matter
           to
           
             detain
             the
             Ministers
             maintenance
             .
          
           But
           look
           narrowly
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           it
           to
           be
           
             theft
             ,
             sacriledge
             ,
             murder
             ,
          
           yea
           
             soul-murder
             ,
          
           and
           that
           in
           the
           highest
           degree
           :
           For
           you
           
             rob
             the
             Minister
          
           of
           what
           is
           as
           due
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           any
           land
           of
           inheritance
           is
           to
           the
           owner
           .
           You
           
             rob
             God
          
           of
           his
           
             Tythes
             ,
             offering
             ,
             &c.
          
           which
           he
           accounts
           most
           abominable
           ;
           as
           you
           may
           gather
           from
           the
           many
           
             complaints
          
           and
           
             threatnings
          
           which
           
             God
          
           throughout
           all
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           utters
           touching
           it
           .
           For
           which
           see
           only
           
             Mal.
          
           3.8
           ,
           9
           ,
           10
           ,
           11.
           
           &
           1.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           13
           ,
           14.
           
           
             Hag.
          
           1
           &
           2
           
             chap.
             
          
           Hereby
           you
           make
           your selves
           guilty
           of
           
             murder
             :
          
           First
           of
           
             murdering
             your
             Pastors
             body
          
           and
           
             whole
             family
          
           ;
           for
           if
           all
           should
           be
           of
           your
           mindes
           ,
           they
           should
           starve
           .
           Secondly
           of
           
             your
             own
             ,
          
           and
           
             all
             the
             peoples
             souls
             ,
          
           as
           much
           as
           in
           you
           lies
           :
           For
           how
           should
           your
           
             Pastor
             feed
             your
             souls
             ,
             if
             you
             feed
             not
             his
             body
             ?
          
           how
           should
           the
           
             lamp
             burn
             ,
          
           if
           you
           
             take
             away
             the
             holy
             oil
          
           that
           should
           maintain
           it
           ?
           and
           in
           case
           it
           
             burn
             not
             ,
          
           there
           will
           be
           but
           a
           
             dark
             house
             .
          
           Men
           would
           have
           
             fire
             kept
             in
             the
             Sanctuary
             ,
          
           but
           
             allow
             no
             fewel
          
           ;
           they
           would
           have
           the
           
             lamp
             burn
             ,
          
           but
           
             without
             oil
             .
          
           But
           how
           do
           they
           
             serve
             Christ
          
           &
           
             themselves
             ,
             in
             so
             serving
             their
             Ministers
             ?
          
           To
           take
           away
           the
           
             Provante
          
           from
           the
           
             Army
             ,
          
           is
           to
           
             betray
             it
          
           to
           the
           
             Enemy
             .
          
        
         
           And
           indeed
           ,
           if
           you
           might
           have
           your
           wills
           ,
           or
           if
           others
           were
           of
           your
           mind
           &
           temper
           ,
           there
           should
           be
           no
           Preaching
           at
           all
           ,
           no
           souls
           saved
           ,
           all
           go
           to
           hell
           .
           For
           ,
           to
           expect
           that
           Ministers
           should
           
             preach
             without
             maintenance
             ,
          
           yea
           
             good
             maintenance
             ,
          
           (
           for
           to
           furnish
           themselves
           with
           
             Books
          
           only
           will
           cost
           more
           then
           a
           little
           )
           is
           as
           if
           you
           should
           
             shut
             a
             Bird
             into
             a
             cage
             ,
             give
             her
             no
             meat
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           
             bid
             her
             sing
             .
          
           It
           amazes
           me
           to
           think
           how
           
             unreasonable
          
           and
           
             base
          
           most
           men
           be
           :
           They
           will
           bestow
           more
           upon
           their
           very
           
             Hair
          
           in
           a
           
             moneth
             ,
          
           or
           upon
           the
           
             Smoke
          
           of
           a
           needless
           
             Indian
          
           wanton
           Weed
           in
           a
           
             week
             ,
          
           then
           upon
           
             God
          
           and
           their
           
             sculs
          
           in
           a
           
             whole
             year
             .
          
           And
           were
           it
           not
           most
           just
           with
           
             God
          
           to
           take
           away
           our
           
             faithful
             Ministers
          
           from
           us
           ,
           when
           we
           so
           ill
           intreat
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           unworthily
           reward
           them
           ?
           yea
           ,
           since
           we
           
             love
             darkness
             more
             then
             light
             ,
          
           may
           not
           
             God
          
           justly
           leave
           us
           in
           the
           dark
           ?
           and
           bring
           upon
           us
           
             a
             famine
             of
             Preaching
             ,
          
           who
           would
           bring
           
             a
             famine
             upon
             the
             Preachers
             ,
          
           by
           purloining
           the
           maintenance
           of
           his
           Ministers
           ?
           It
           is
           but
           just
           with
           
             God
          
           to
           take
           away
           the
           
             lamp
          
           from
           that
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           which
           hath
           taken
           away
           the
           
             holy
             oil
          
           that
           should
           maintain
           it
           .
           But
           it
           is
           a
           true
           observation
           ,
           
             Sacrilege
          
           is
           
             the
             greatest
             theft
             ,
          
           yet
           of
           it
           men
           make
           
             the
             least
             conscience
             .
          
        
         
           But
           lastly
           ,
           You
           make
           your selves
           not
           only
           guilty
           of
           
             persecution
             ,
             theft
             ,
             sacrilege
             ,
          
           of
           
             murdering
             bodies
          
           and
           
             souls
             ,
          
           of
           
             provoking
             God
             to
             send
             a
             famine
             of
             his
             Word
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           but
           you
           become
           by
           it
           
             guilty
             of
             high
             treason
             against
             God
             ,
          
           in
           thus
           using
           
             his
             Ambassadors
             ,
          
           and
           against
           
             Christ
          
           and
           all
           
             his
             members
             .
          
           For
           besides
           that
           all
           the
           disgraces
           and
           wrongs
           that
           are
           done
           to
           
             Christs
             Ministers
             ,
          
           redound
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           traduceth
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           wrongs
           a
           Minister
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           his
           place
           ,
           his
           envy
           strikes
           at
           the
           
             Image
             of
             God
          
           in
           him
           ,
           
           as
           a
           world
           of
           places
           prove
           :
           So
           the
           very
           
             root
             or
             spring
             of
             this
             their
             spight
          
           and
           enmity
           against
           the
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           is
           an
           inbred
           
             enmity
             and
             hatred
             against
             God
          
           himself
           .
           As
           when
           
             Satan
          
           flew
           
             Jobs
             sons
          
           and
           
             servants
             ,
          
           his
           malice
           was
           against
           
             Job
          
           ;
           Or
           as
           when
           
             Saul
             darted
             a
             spear
             at
             Jonathan
             ,
          
           his
           spight
           was
           against
           
             David
             .
          
        
         
           And
           accordingly
           ,
           
             God
          
           takes
           what
           is
           done
           to
           his
           messengers
           ,
           as
           done
           to
           himself
           ;
           as
           in
           that
           case
           of
           
             David
          
           sending
           his
           Ambassadors
           to
           the
           King
           of
           
             Ammon
             ,
          
           2
           
             Sam
          
           10.6
           ,
           7.
           
           
             They
             have
             not
             cast
             thee
             away
             ,
          
           says
           
             God
          
           to
           
             Samuel
             ,
             but
             they
             have
             cast
             me
             away
             ,
             that
             I
             should
             not
             reign
             over
             them
             ,
          
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           8.7
           .
           
             You
             are
             gathered
             together
             against
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             what
             is
             Aaron
             ,
             that
             ye
             murmure
             against
             him
             ?
             Numb.
          
           16.11
           .
           and
           the
           like
           
             Exod.
          
           16.7
           ,
           8.
           
           
             Luke
          
           10.16
           .
           
             Joh.
          
           15.23
           ,
           24.
           
           
             Joh.
          
           7.7
           .
           
             He
             that
             despiseth
             you
             ,
             despiseth
             me
             ,
          
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           17.45
           .
           
             Isa.
          
           37.23
           .
           
             Saul
             ,
             Saul
             ,
             why
             persecutest
             thou
             me
             ?
             Acts
          
           9.
           4.
           
             Rev.
          
           16.9.11
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           89.23
           .
        
         
           9
           ¶
           Which
           being
           so
           ,
           how
           does
           it
           behove
           you
           to
           look
           to
           your selves
           ,
           and
           bewail
           this
           sin
           ,
           this
           horrible
           and
           desperate
           sin
           !
           
             Was
             there
             ever
             any
             that
             was
             stout
             against
             the
             Lord
             and
             prospered
             ,
          
           as
           
             Job
          
           speaks
           ,
           
             Job
          
           9.4
           .
           When
           the
           
             Pitcher
          
           contends
           with
           the
           
             Rock
             ,
             straw
          
           with
           the
           
             fire
             ,
          
           it
           is
           easie
           to
           judge
           who
           will
           come
           by
           the
           worst
           .
           And
           certainly
           ,
           if
           most
           men
           were
           not
           both
           
             blinde
          
           and
           
             mad
             ,
          
           they
           would
           more
           respect
           the
           Ministry
           :
           For
           if
           I
           understand
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
          
           or
           know
           what
           
             rectified
             reason
          
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           a
           sin
           in
           the
           Nation
           that
           so
           
             hinders
             the
             blessings
             ,
          
           or
           
             pulls
             down
             the
             judgments
             of
             God
          
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           does
           this
           very
           sin
           .
           And
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           more
           
             provoking
             ,
          
           then
           it
           is
           
             a
             common
             sin
             .
          
           How
           it
           will
           be
           answered
           to
           their
           
             Lord
             and
             master
          
           at
           
             the
             great
             day
             ,
          
           I
           tremble
           to
           think
           :
           Can
           you
           answer
           it
           
             then
          
           with
           
             flashes
             of
             wit
             ,
          
           or
           
             carnal
             reasons
             ,
          
           as
           you
           do
           
             now
             ?
          
           I
           beseech
           you
           look
           to
           it
           .
           Nor
           is
           our
           
             love
             ,
          
           or
           
             hatred
             to
             God
          
           any
           way
           better
           
             known
             ,
          
           then
           by
           our
           
             respect
             to
             ,
             and
             usage
             of
             his
             Ambassadors
             .
             Lip-love
          
           is
           but
           
             lying
             love
             .
             If
             you
             love
             me
             ,
             keep
             my
             commandments
             ,
          
           says
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             Job
             .
          
           14.15
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           my
           counsel
           be
           acceptable
           :
           
             Break
             off
             your
             sins
             by
             repentance
             ,
             kick
             no
             more
             against
             the
             pricks
             ;
             Refrain
             your selves
             from
             these
             men
             and
             let
             them
             alone
             ,
             lest
             ye
             be
             found
             even
             fighters
             against
             God
             ,
             Acts
          
           5.38
           ,
           39.
           
           Nor
           will
           it
           ever
           repent
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           come
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           you
           were
           stopt
           in
           this
           your
           way
           to
           destruction
           .
           Yea
           ,
           let
           the
           consideration
           of
           what
           you
           have
           already
           done
           ,
           make
           you
           sink
           down
           with
           shame
           ,
           and
           tremble
           for
           astonishment
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           you
           have
           been
           so
           many
           years
           in
           arms
           against
           your
           
             Maker
          
           and
           
             Redeemer
             ,
          
           and
           most
           spightfully
           and
           maliciously
           persecured
           his
           
             Ambassadors
          
           that
           came
           to
           rescue
           you
           from
           the
           subtlery
           and
           slavery
           of
           
             Satan
             ,
             that
             bloody
             devouring
             Dragon
             ,
          
           and
           vowed
           enemy
           of
           all
           mankinde
           :
           yet
           
             God
          
           hath
           no
           taken
           the
           advantage
           of
           casting
           you
           into
           
             Hell
             ,
          
           but
           of
           his
           never
           enough
           admired
           mercy
           hath
           spared
           you
           to
           this
           hour
           !
           whereas
           he
           might
           most
           justly
           have
           prevented
           all
           ,
           in
           sending
           you
           
             body
          
           and
           
             soul
          
           into
           everlasting
           
             torments
             ,
          
           when
           you
           were
           but
           a
           span
           long
           .
           For
           know
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           need
           no
           more
           to
           condemn
           us
           ,
           then
           what
           we
           brought
           into
           the
           world
           with
           us
           .
           Yea
           ,
           we
           were
           
             condemned
             ,
          
           so
           soon
           as
           
             conceived
             :
          
           And
           that
           you
           and
           I
           are
           not
           at
           this
           present
           frying
           in
           
             Hell-flames
             ,
          
           never
           to
           be
           freed
           ,
           no
           reason
           can
           be
           alleadged
           ,
           but
           
             O
             the
             depth
             !
          
        
         
         
           Wherefore
           take
           heed
           in
           time
           ,
           and
           as
           you
           tender
           the
           good
           of
           your
           own
           souls
           ,
           defer
           not
           a
           minute
           ;
           but
           study
           and
           bestir
           your selves
           how
           you
           may
           make
           your
           peace
           with
           
             God
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           do
           it
           while
           the
           yerning
           
             bowels
             ,
          
           the
           bleeding
           
             wounds
             ,
          
           and
           compassionate
           
             arms
          
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           lie
           open
           to
           receive
           you
           ▪
           whiles
           ye
           have
           
             health
             ,
          
           and
           
             life
             ,
          
           and
           
             means
             ,
          
           and
           
             time
          
           to
           repent
           ,
           and
           make
           your
           
             peace
          
           with
           
             God
             .
          
           As
           you
           tender
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           everlasting
           happiness
           and
           welfare
           of
           your
           almost
           lost
           and
           drowned
           
             souls
          
           :
           As
           you
           expect
           or
           hope
           for
           
             grace
             ,
          
           or
           
             mercy
             ,
          
           for
           
             joy
          
           and
           
             comfort
             ,
          
           for
           
             heaven
          
           and
           
             salvation
             ,
          
           for
           endless
           
             bliss
          
           and
           
             glory
          
           at
           the
           last
           :
           As
           you
           would
           escape
           the
           
             direfull
             wrath
          
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           the
           
             bitter
             doom
          
           and
           
             sentence
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           never
           dying
           
             sting
          
           and
           
             worm
             of
             conscience
             ,
          
           the
           
             tormenting
          
           and
           
             soul-scorching
          
           flames
           of
           
             Hell
             ,
          
           and
           everlasting
           separation
           from
           
             Gods
          
           blissfull
           presence
           ,
           abjure
           and
           utterly
           renounce
           this
           accursed
           sin
           .
           Oh
           ,
           get
           an
           interest
           in
           
             Christ
          
           !
           For
           till
           we
           become
           members
           of
           his
           mystical
           body
           by
           
             regeneration
          
           and
           a
           lively
           
             faith
          
           ;
           we
           (
           even
           the
           best
           of
           us
           )
           are
           as
           
             Traitors
             condemned
          
           to
           suffer
           eternal
           torments
           in
           
             Hell-fire
             ,
          
           being
           onely
           
             reprieved
          
           for
           a
           time
           .
           O
           bless
           
             God
          
           all
           the
           dayes
           you
           live
           ,
           yea
           ,
           to
           eternity
           ,
           that
           the
           
             gate
             of
             mercy
          
           yet
           
             stands
             open
             !
          
        
         
           10
           ¶
           But
           withal
           take
           hold
           of
           the
           opportunity
           before
           the
           
             Draw-bridge
          
           be
           taken
           up
           ,
           left
           you
           never
           have
           the
           like
           again
           .
           Do
           not
           dally
           with
           
             God
          
           and
           
             your
             own
             souls
          
           ;
           for
           if
           this
           warning
           be
           slighted
           ,
           never
           look
           for
           the
           like
           :
           For
           warning
           (
           such
           a
           warning
           )
           not
           taking
           ,
           is
           a
           certain
           prefage
           of
           destruction
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           29.1
           .
           &
           1.24
           ,
           25
           ,
           26.
           
           The
           
             sons
             of
             Eli
             would
             not
             hearken
             unto
             ,
             nor
             obey
             the
             voice
             of
             their
             Father
             :
          
           why
           ?
           
             because
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Text
           )
           
             the
             Lord
             was
             determined
             to
             destroy
             them
             ,
          
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           2.25
           .
           
             I
             know
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Prophet
           to
           
             Amaziah
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             determined
             to
             destroy
             thee
             ,
             because
             thou
             hast
             done
             this
             ,
             and
             hast
             not
             obeyed
             my
             counsel
             ,
          
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           25.16
           ,
           20.
           
           Whereas
           contrarily
           the
           
             Ninevites
          
           by
           hearkning
           to
           
             Jonah
          
           ;
           and
           those
           very
           
             murtherers
             of
             the
             Lord
             of
             life
             ,
          
           by
           listening
           to
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           were
           
             converted
          
           and
           
             saved
             ,
             Acts
          
           2.36
           ,
           37.
           
        
         
           O
           take
           heed
           of
           proferring
           your
           own
           
             carnal
             reason
          
           before
           the
           
             written
             word
             of
             God
          
           :
           And
           that
           what
           is
           spoken
           of
           
             Babel
             ,
          
           may
           not
           be
           verified
           in
           you
           ;
           
             We
             would
             have
             cured
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             would
             not
             be
             cured
          
           :
           lest
           you
           
             be
             given
             up
             to
             destruction
             ,
          
           as
           she
           was
           .
           What
           sayes
           our
           
             Saviour
             ?
             This
             is
             the
             condemnation
          
           (
           none
           like
           this
           )
           
             that
             light
             is
             come
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             men
             love
             darkness
             rather
             then
             light
             ,
             because
             their
             deeds
             are
             evil
             ,
             John
          
           3.19
           ,
           20.
           
           Indeed
           ,
           if
           you
           will
           rather
           beleeve
           
             Satan
             ,
          
           or
           his
           
             sollicitor
             the
             Flesh
             ,
          
           or
           be
           led
           by
           the
           perswasions
           of
           your
           
             own
          
           flattering
           
             heart
             ,
          
           which
           is
           
             deceitfull
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             most
             desperately
             evil
             ,
             Jer.
          
           17.9
           .
           No
           marvel
           you
           should
           be
           deaf
           to
           all
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           as
           thinking
           your selves
           already
           good
           enough
           ,
           and
           then
           farwel
           all
           hope
           of
           being
           better
           :
           For
           the
           opinion
           of
           mens
           being
           wise
           ,
           and
           good
           enough
           ,
           is
           the
           sole
           and
           onely
           cause
           of
           their
           being
           no
           wiser
           ,
           nor
           better
           .
           Yea
           ,
           therefore
           are
           millions
           
             Christians
             in
             name
          
           onely
           ,
           because
           they
           think
           themselves
           
             Christians
             indeed
             .
          
           And
           who
           is
           there
           in
           all
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           that
           thinks
           not
           himself
           a
           
             Christian
             ?
          
           though
           they
           are
           able
           to
           yeild
           no
           reason
           except
           this
           ;
           They
           are
           neither
           
             Turks
          
           nor
           
             Jews
             ,
          
           nor
           (
           which
           is
           worse
           then
           either
           ,
           as
           they
           suppose
           )
           
             Round-heads
             .
          
           A
           strong
           argument
           ,
           I
           promise
           you
           ,
           able
           to
           move
           the
           gentlest
           spleen
           alive
           to
           laughter
           !
           for
           the
           
             Devil
          
           can
           make
           as
           good
           a
           confession
           of
           his
           faith
           
           as
           this
           .
           Yet
           all
           the
           reasonings
           of
           Carnal
           men
           are
           thus
           weighty
           :
           As
           let
           me
           give
           you
           a
           few
           instances
           .
        
         
           11
           ¶
           They
           will
           say
           ,
           they
           love
           and
           fear
           God
           as
           they
           ought
           :
           when
           what
           he
           commands
           ,
           they
           do
           the
           contrary
           ;
           are
           
             flint
          
           unto
           
             God
             ,
             wax
          
           to
           
             Satan
          
           ;
           have
           their
           
             ears
          
           always
           
             open
          
           to
           the
           
             Temper
             ,
             shut
          
           to
           their
           
             Maker
          
           and
           
             Redeemer
          
           ;
           when
           they
           are
           
             Traitors
             to
             him
             ,
          
           and
           
             take
             up
             arms
             against
             him
             .
          
           A
           good
           sign
           they
           serve
           
             God
          
           and
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           when
           
             Satan
             ,
          
           the
           
             World
          
           and
           the
           
             Flesh
          
           have
           more
           command
           of
           them
           :
           When
           they
           are
           so
           far
           from
           loving
           and
           serving
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           hate
           those
           that
           do
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           their
           so
           doing
           ;
           and
           from
           fearing
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           more
           fear
           the
           
             worlds
             scorns
             ,
          
           then
           
             his
             anger
             .
          
           They
           will
           in
           like
           manner
           pretend
           they
           
             love
             Christ
          
           that
           died
           for
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           
             hate
             all
             that
             resemble
             him
          
           in
           holiness
           .
           They
           are
           
             Christians
             in
             name
             ,
          
           when
           they
           will
           scoff
           at
           a
           
             Christian
             in
             deed
             ,
          
           and
           are
           
             enemies
             to
             the
             cross
             of
             Christ
          
           :
           Love
           
             a
             form
          
           of
           godliness
           ,
           but
           hate
           
             the
             power
          
           of
           it
           .
           They
           will
           do
           what
           
             God
             forbids
             ,
          
           yet
           confidently
           hope
           to
           
             escape
             what
             he
             threatens
          
           :
           will
           do
           the
           
             Devils
             works
             ,
          
           yet
           look
           for
           
             Christs
             wages
          
           :
           Expect
           that
           
             Heaven
          
           should
           meet
           them
           at
           their
           last
           hour
           ,
           when
           all
           their
           life-long
           they
           have
           gallopped
           in
           the
           beaten
           road
           towards
           
             Hell
          
           :
           Expect
           to
           have
           
             Christ
             their
             Redeemer
          
           and
           
             Advocate
             ,
          
           when
           their
           consciences
           tell
           them
           that
           they
           seldom
           remember
           him
           but
           to
           
             blaspheme
             him
             ,
          
           and
           more
           often
           name
           him
           in
           their
           
             oaths
          
           and
           
             curses
          
           then
           in
           their
           
             prayers
          
           :
           Will
           persecute
           honest
           and
           
             orthodox
             Christians
             ,
          
           and
           say
           they
           mean
           base
           and
           
             dissembling
             Hipocrites
             ;
             think
             they
             do
             God
             good
             service
             in
             killing
             his
             servants
             ,
             Joh.
          
           16.2
           .
           as
           
             Paul
          
           touching
           
             Stephen
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Jews
          
           touching
           
             Christ
          
           :
           Boast
           of
           a
           strong
           
             faith
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           fall
           short
           of
           the
           
             Devils
          
           in
           
             believing
             ,
             Jam.
          
           2.19
           .
           These
           are
           some
           of
           their
           
             syllogisms
          
           or
           arguings
           ;
           I
           could
           even
           tire
           your
           ears
           with
           the
           like
           .
           But
           what
           doting
           ,
           blockish
           and
           brain-sick
           Bedlam-Positions
           are
           these
           ?
           Could
           rational
           men
           ever
           argue
           in
           this
           manner
           ,
           had
           not
           
             the
             God
             of
             this
             world
             blinded
             their
             eys
             ,
             that
             the
             light
             of
             the
             glorious
             Gospel
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             should
             not
             shine
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           4.3
           ,
           4.
           2
           
             Thes.
          
           2.9
           ,
           10.
           
           Did
           not
           their
           deceitfull
           hearts
           damnably
           delude
           them
           ,
           as
           in
           that
           case
           of
           
             Leah
             ,
             Gen.
          
           30.18
           .
           and
           of
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           23.7.21
           .
           and
           of
           
             Micah
             ,
             Judg.
          
           17.13
           .
           Turn
           to
           the
           places
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           rare
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
           If
           this
           be
           Reason
           ,
           it
           is
           
             Reason
             frighted
             out
             of
             its
             wits
          
           :
           Yet
           this
           is
           every
           wilfull
           sinners
           case
           ,
           yea
           of
           every
           unregenerate
           man
           in
           some
           measure
           :
           As
           I
           'll
           but
           give
           you
           one
           instance
           more
           to
           clear
           it
           .
        
         
           You
           shall
           have
           them
           maintain
           with
           
             incredible
             impudence
             ,
          
           accompanied
           with
           
             invincible
             ignorance
          
           ;
           That
           if
           a
           man
           make
           scruple
           of
           small
           matters
           ,
           or
           of
           those
           sins
           or
           sinfull
           customs
           which
           they
           allow
           of
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           do
           as
           they
           do
           ,
           That
           he
           is
           over-precise
           :
           Though
           they
           may
           as
           soon
           finde
           
             Paradise
          
           in
           
             Hell
             ,
          
           as
           any
           
             Text
          
           in
           the
           
             Bible
          
           that
           makes
           for
           
             loosness
             ,
          
           or
           against
           
             circumspect
             walking
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           who
           would
           dream
           that
           so
           gross
           blockishness
           should
           find
           harbor
           in
           any
           reasonable
           soul
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           that
           
             God
          
           should
           like
           a
           man
           the
           
             worse
          
           for
           his
           being
           the
           
             better
             ,
          
           or
           for
           having
           a
           tender
           conscience
           ;
           or
           look
           for
           less
           
             fear
             ,
             reverence
             ,
          
           and
           
             obedience
          
           from
           
             his
             servants
             ,
          
           then
           we
           do
           from
           
             our
             servants
             ?
          
           And
           yet
           the
           same
           men
           will
           grant
           ,
           that
           a
           servant
           can
           never
           be
           too
           punctual
           in
           his
           obedience
           to
           his
           masters
           lawfull
           commands
           .
           But
           you
           see
           the
           reason
           ;
           
           Natural
           men
           are
           blinde
           to
           spiritual
           objects
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           speaks
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           1.18.20
           .
           &
           2.14
           and
           so
           no
           more
           fit
           to
           judge
           of
           them
           ,
           then
           
             blinde
             men
          
           are
           fit
           to
           
             judge
             of
             colours
             .
          
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           the
           
             basest
             thoughts
          
           of
           the
           
             best
             men
             ,
          
           making
           
             ill
             constructions
          
           of
           whatsoever
           they
           
             speak
          
           or
           
             do
          
           ;
           as
           the
           
             Scribes
          
           and
           
             Pharisees
          
           dealt
           by
           
             our
             Saviour
             .
          
           Until
           we
           are
           born
           again
           ,
           we
           are
           like
           
             Nicodemus
             ,
          
           who
           knew
           not
           what
           it
           was
           to
           be
           born
           again
           ,
           
             John
          
           3.4
           .
           Until
           we
           become
           zealous
           our selves
           ,
           we
           are
           like
           
             Festus
             ,
          
           who
           thought
           zeal
           madness
           ,
           
             Acts
          
           26.24
           .
           Until
           we
           be
           humble
           our selves
           ,
           we
           are
           like
           
             Michal
             ,
          
           who
           
             mocked
             David
          
           for
           his
           humility
           ,
           and
           
             thought
             him
             a
             fool
             for
             dancing
             before
             the
             Ark
             ,
          
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           6.16
           .
           For
           ,
           to
           carnal-minded
           men
           ,
           all
           
             Religion
             seems
             foolishness
             ,
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           1.18
           .
           It
           faring
           between
           the
           
             Sensual
          
           and
           
             Spiritual
             ,
          
           as
           it
           does
           between
           
             Youth
          
           and
           
             Age
             :
          
           For
           as
           
             Young
             men
          
           think
           
             Old
             men
          
           to
           be
           fools
           ,
           but
           
             Old
             men
          
           know
           the
           
             Young
          
           to
           be
           fools
           ;
           so
           
             Worldlings
          
           think
           the
           
             Religious
          
           fools
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Religious
          
           know
           them
           to
           be
           fools
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           had
           the
           experience
           of
           both
           conditions
           ;
           as
           the
           
             old
          
           have
           been
           
             young
             ,
          
           but
           the
           other
           are
           utterly
           unacquainted
           with
           what
           they
           see
           and
           know
           .
           Besides
           ,
           the
           one
           make
           the
           
             Word
             their
             rule
          
           in
           every
           thing
           ;
           for
           they
           
             live
             ,
          
           and
           
             believe
             ,
          
           and
           
             hear
             ,
          
           and
           
             invocate
             ,
          
           and
           
             hope
             ,
          
           and
           
             fear
             ,
          
           and
           
             love
             ,
          
           and
           
             worship
             God
          
           in
           such
           manner
           as
           his
           Word
           prescribes
           :
           The
           other
           do
           all
           as
           the
           
             flesh
          
           leads
           them
           ,
           and
           
             according
             to
             the
             customs
             and
             rudiments
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           12
           ¶
           Now
           lay
           all
           together
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           think
           it
           no
           whit
           strange
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           their
           condition
           is
           so
           miserable
           ,
           they
           should
           yet
           be
           so
           jocund
           ,
           confident
           and
           secure
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           neither
           be
           sensible
           of
           their
           present
           condition
           ,
           nor
           afraid
           of
           future
           Judgment
           .
           Security
           makes
           worldlings
           merry
           ;
           and
           therefore
           are
           they
           
             secure
             and
             merry
             ,
          
           because
           they
           are
           
             ignorant
             .
             A
             Dunce
          
           (
           we
           know
           )
           seldom
           makes
           
             doubts
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           a
           
             Fool
          
           (
           says
           
             Solomon
          
           )
           
             boasteth
             and
             is
             confident
             ,
             Pro.
          
           14.16
           .
           Ignorance
           is
           a
           veil
           or
           curtain
           to
           hide
           away
           their
           sins
           .
           
             Our
             knowledge
             ,
          
           saith
           one
           of
           the
           Learned
           ,
           doth
           but
           shew
           us
           
             our
             ignorance
             :
          
           And
           
             Wisdom
          
           (
           says
           another
           )
           is
           but
           one
           of
           mans
           greatest
           miseries
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           as
           well
           able
           to
           conquer
           ,
           as
           to
           discern
           .
           The
           next
           thing
           from
           being
           free
           from
           miseries
           ,
           is
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           sensible
           of
           them
           .
           
             Erasmus
          
           could
           spie
           out
           a
           great
           priviledge
           in
           a
           blockish
           condition
           ;
           
             Fools
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           being
           
             free
             from
             ambition
             ,
             envy
             ,
             shame
          
           and
           
             fear
             ,
          
           are
           neither
           
             troubled
             in
             conscience
             ,
          
           nor
           
             macerated
             with
             cares
             .
          
           And
           
             Beasts
             ,
          
           we
           see
           ,
           are
           not
           
             ashamed
          
           of
           their
           deeds
           .
           Where
           is
           
             no
             reason
          
           at
           all
           ,
           there
           is
           
             no
             sin
          
           ;
           where
           no
           use
           of
           reason
           ,
           no
           apprehension
           of
           sin
           ;
           and
           where
           no
           apprehension
           of
           sin
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           
             shame
             .
             Blinde
             men
             never
             blush
          
           ;
           neither
           are
           Worldlings
           ashamed
           ,
           or
           afraid
           of
           any
           thing
           ;
           because
           for
           want
           of
           bringing
           their
           lives
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           
             Gods
             word
             ,
          
           they
           perceive
           not
           when
           they
           do
           well
           ,
           when
           ill
           .
           The
           
             Timber
          
           not
           brought
           to
           the
           
             Rule
             ,
          
           may
           easily
           appear
           
             straight
             ,
          
           when
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           .
           Whereas
           every
           small
           sin
           ,
           to
           a
           holy
           and
           regenerate
           man
           that
           weigheth
           his
           sin
           by
           the
           
             ballance
             of
             the
             Sanctuary
             ,
          
           is
           very
           grievous
           ,
           and
           disturbeth
           his
           conscience
           exceedingly
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           
             Regenerate
          
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           very
           
             end
          
           for
           which
           they
           were
           
             created
          
           and
           
             redeemed
             ,
          
           was
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           
             honour
             ,
             love
             and
             serve
             their
             
             Creator
          
           &
           
             Redeemer
             .
          
           They
           remember
           also
           ,
           that
           they
           bound
           themselves
           by
           
             vow
          
           and
           promise
           
             in
             their
             baptism
          
           so
           to
           do
           .
           Whereas
           these
           brainless
           and
           bruitish
           men
           
             never
          
           once
           
             consider
             what
             they
             came
             into
             the
             world
             for
             ,
             nor
             what
             will
             become
             of
             them
             when
             they
             depart
             hence
             :
          
           Only
           their
           care
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           
             eat
             ,
             drink
             ,
             play
             ,
             sleep
          
           and
           
             be
             merry
             :
          
           Whereupon
           
             they
             spend
             their
             days
             in
             mirth
             ,
             and
             suddenly
             they
             go
             down
             into
             hell
             ,
          
           as
           
             Job
          
           speaks
           ,
           
             Job
          
           21.13
           .
           For
           ,
           like
           
             men
             sleeping
             in
             a
             Boat
             ,
          
           they
           are
           
             carried
             down
             the
             stream
          
           of
           this
           
             World
             ,
          
           until
           they
           
             arrive
          
           at
           their
           
             Graves-end
          
           Death
           ;
           without
           once
           
             waking
          
           to
           bethink
           themselves
           
             whither
             they
             are
             going
             ,
          
           to
           
             Heaven
          
           or
           
             Hell
             .
          
        
         
           I
           grant
           ,
           that
           in
           their
           
             long
             sleep
          
           they
           have
           many
           
             pleasant
             dreams
             .
          
           As
           for
           instance
           :
           They
           
             slumber
             ,
          
           and
           
             suppose
          
           themselves
           
             good
             Christians
             ,
             true
             Protestants
          
           ;
           they
           
             dream
          
           they
           
             repent
          
           them
           of
           their
           sins
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           
             believe
          
           in
           
             Christ
          
           ;
           they
           
             dream
          
           they
           have
           
             true
             grace
             ,
          
           that
           they
           
             fear
             ,
          
           and
           
             love
             ,
          
           and
           
             serve
             God
          
           as
           they
           ought
           ;
           they
           
             dream
             they
             shall
             go
             to
             Heaven
          
           and
           be
           
             saved
             :
          
           But
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           
             all
             their
             Religion
          
           is
           
             but
             a
             Dream
             ,
          
           and
           so
           is
           their
           
             assurance
             of
             salvation
             .
          
           They
           have
           
             Regeneration
             in
             conceit
             ,
             Repentance
          
           and
           
             Righteousness
          
           in
           conceit
           ;
           they
           
             serve
             God
          
           well
           in
           conceit
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           
             go
             to
             Heaven
             only
             in
             conceit
             ,
             or
             in
             a
             dream
          
           ;
           and
           never
           
             awake
             ,
          
           until
           they
           feel
           themselves
           
             in
             a
             bed
             of
             unquenchable
             flames
             .
          
           Neither
           did
           pure
           and
           naked
           Supposals
           ,
           ever
           bring
           any
           man
           to
           
             eternal
             life
             .
          
        
         
           13
           ¶
           Which
           being
           so
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           World
           :
           How
           does
           it
           concern
           every
           one
           of
           you
           to
           try
           and
           examine
           your selves
           ,
           whether
           it
           fares
           not
           so
           with
           you
           ;
           and
           to
           mistrust
           the
           worst
           of
           your selves
           ,
           as
           all
           
             wise
          
           and
           
             sound-hearted
             Christians
             do
          
           ;
           as
           you
           may
           see
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           26.22
           .
           even
           every
           of
           them
           was
           jealous
           of
           himself
           ,
           and
           examined
           his
           own
           heart
           ,
           though
           but
           one
           of
           them
           was
           guilty
           of
           that
           soul
           sin
           which
           
             Christ
          
           spake
           of
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           you
           would
           
             examine
          
           your selves
           but
           by
           those
           
             marks
          
           I
           have
           already
           given
           you
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           see
           whether
           you
           are
           the
           men
           
             guilty
          
           of
           what
           I
           have
           laid
           to
           your
           
             charge
             .
          
           If
           you
           would
           be
           further
           informed
           ,
           
             ask
             your selves
          
           only
           these
           three
           questions
           .
           
             Whether
             you
             are
             of
             that
             small
             number
             ,
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             chosen
             out
             of
             the
             world
             ?
             Whether
             you
             are
             Regenerate
             ?
             Whether
             you
             have
             true
             and
             saving
             faith
             ?
          
           For
           otherwise
           all
           your
           
             hopes
          
           and
           
             perswasions
          
           are
           but
           
             vain
             presumptions
          
           and
           
             delusions
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           Are
           you
           of
           that
           small
           number
           ?
           For
           ,
           
             the
             greatest
             number
             ,
          
           whether
           of
           
             men
             ,
          
           or
           
             great
             men
             ,
          
           or
           
             great
             Scholars
             ,
             go
             the
             broad
             way
             to
             destruction
          
           ;
           and
           but
           
             a
             few
          
           of
           either
           ,
           
             the
             narrow
             way
             which
             leadeth
             unto
             life
          
           ;
           as
           appears
           by
           many
           cleer
           
             testimonies
          
           and
           
             examples
          
           ;
           for
           which
           see
           those
           known
           places
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           7.13
           ,
           14.
           1
           
             Joh.
          
           5.19
           .
           
             Rev.
          
           20.8
           .
           
             Christs
             flock
             ,
          
           that
           
             believe
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           are
           but
           
             a
             little
             flock
             ,
             Luk.
          
           12.32
           .
           and
           but
           
             few
             in
             number
             ,
             Isa.
          
           10.22
           .
           &
           53.1
           .
           
             Rom.
          
           9.27
           .
           &
           10.16
           .
           
             Rev.
          
           3.4
           .
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           4.4
           .
           
             Mat.
          
           8.34
           .
           &
           27.22
           .
           
             Acts
          
           28.22
           .
           
             Rev.
          
           13.16
           .
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           CCLXXXVIII
           several
           Opinions
           which
           
             Philosophers
          
           held
           touching
           
             the
             Chief
             good
          
           ;
           never
           any
           was
           〈…〉
           to
           think
           the
           
           way
           to
           attain
           to
           it
           ,
           was
           by
           doing
           as
           the
           most
           do
           .
           Yea
           ,
           they
           all
           concluded
           ,
           that
           
             Number
          
           was
           the
           
             best
             note
          
           of
           the
           
             worst
             way
             .
          
           And
           we
           even
           see
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           the
           
             basest
             things
          
           are
           ever
           
             most
             plentifull
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           it
           amazes
           me
           to
           think
           ,
           how
           men
           should
           be
           so
           blockish
           as
           they
           are
           in
           this
           particular
           :
           for
           if
           you
           mark
           it
           ,
           most
           men
           
             walk
             in
             the
             broadway
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           every
           man
           
             thinks
             to
             enter
             in
             at
             the
             strait
             gate
          
           :
           which
           could
           never
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           not
           
             fools
             ,
          
           or
           
             frenzie
             .
          
           Again
           take
           notice
           ,
           that
           
             many
             seekers
             fall
             short
             of
             heaven
             ,
             Luke
          
           13.24
           .
           Do
           you
           strive
           ?
           
             The
             righteous
             shall
             scarcely
             be
             saved
             ;
             what
             then
             shall
             become
             of
             the
             unrighteous
             ?
          
           1
           
             Pet.
          
           4.18
           .
        
         
           14
           ¶
           Secondly
           ,
           Are
           you
           regenerate
           and
           born
           anew
           ?
           For
           
             Christs
          
           words
           to
           
             Nicodemus
          
           (
           a
           
             knowing
             ,
             honest
             ,
             moral
          
           man
           )
           are
           express
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           he
           bindes
           it
           with
           
             an
             oath
             :
             Verily
             ,
             verily
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             except
             ye
             be
             born
             again
             ye
             can
             in
             no
             wise
             enter
             into
             the
             kingdom
             of
             heaven
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           if
           you
           be
           regenerate
           ,
           it
           will
           appear
           by
           this
           :
           
             Regeneration
          
           or
           
             new-birth
             ,
          
           is
           
             a
             creation
             of
             new
             qualities
             in
             the
             soul
             ,
          
           as
           being
           by
           nature
           onely
           evil-disposed
           .
           In
           all
           that
           are
           
             born
             anew
             ,
          
           is
           a
           
             change
             ,
          
           both
           
             in
             the
             Judgement
          
           from
           
             error
          
           to
           
             truth
             ,
          
           and
           in
           the
           
             Will
          
           from
           
             evil
          
           to
           
             good
          
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           
             Affections
          
           from
           
             loving
             evil
             ,
          
           and
           
             hating
             good
             ,
          
           to
           
             love
             good
             ,
          
           and
           
             hate
             evil
          
           ;
           in
           the
           
             whole
             man
             from
             darkness
             to
             light
             ,
             and
             from
             the
             power
             of
             Satan
             unto
             God
             .
          
           Is
           this
           change
           wrought
           in
           you
           ?
           For
           without
           it
           there
           is
           no
           going
           to
           
             heaven
             ,
          
           no
           being
           
             saved
             .
          
           Then
           —
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Have
           you
           a
           true
           and
           lively
           faith
           in
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ?
          
           For
           there
           is
           no
           coming
           to
           
             Christ
          
           but
           by
           faith
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           11.6
           .
           
             By
             faith
             we
             receive
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             our
             sins
             ,
             Luke
          
           7.47
           ,
           50.
           
           
             By
             faith
             we
             are
             justified
             ,
             Rom.
          
           3.26
           ,
           28
           ,
           30.
           
           
             Gal.
          
           3.8
           .
           
             By
             faith
             through
             grace
             we
             are
             saved
             ,
             Eph.
          
           2.8
           ,
           9.
           
           
             Luk.
          
           18.42
           .
           
             By
             faith
             through
             the
             power
             of
             God
             we
             are
             kept
             and
             preserved
             to
             salvation
             ,
          
           1
           
             Pet.
          
           1.5
           .
           Nothing
           but
           
             faith
          
           can
           
             assure
             us
             of
             Gods
             favor
             ,
             Eccles.
          
           9.1.2.3
           .
           
             By
             faith
             we
             obtain
             whatsoever
             we
             ask
             ,
             Mat.
          
           21.22
           .
           
             By
             faith
             we
             are
             blessed
             ,
             Gal.
          
           3.14
           .
           
             By
             faith
             we
             know
             God
             ,
          
           1
           
             Joh.
          
           4.7
           .
           
             Psal.
          
           9.10
           .
           
             Without
             faith
             we
             cannot
             profit
             by
             hearing
             the
             Word
             ,
             Heb.
          
           4.2
           .
           
             Without
             faith
             it
             is
             impossible
             to
             please
             God
             ,
             Heb.
          
           11.6
           .
           
             Whatsoever
             is
             not
             of
             faith
             is
             sin
             ,
          
           be
           they
           never
           so
           glorious
           performances
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           14.23
           .
           and
           10.14
           .
        
         
           Now
           you
           shall
           know
           whether
           you
           have
           faith
           ,
           by
           this
           :
           
             Faith
             comes
             by
             bearing
          
           the
           Word
           preached
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           10.17
           .
           And
           the
           
             Spirits
             powerfull
             working
          
           with
           it
           ,
           
             Ioh.
          
           3.3
           .
           5.8
           .
           
             Faith
             purifieth
             the
             heart
             ,
             Act.
          
           15.9
           .
           
             worketh
             by
             love
             ,
             Gal.
          
           5.6
           .
           and
           
             sanctifieth
             the
             whole
             man
             throughout
             ,
             Act.
          
           26.18
           .
           
             Faith
          
           is
           known
           
             by
             its
             works
             ,
             Iam.
          
           2.17
           .
           18.22
           .
           
             Faith
          
           and
           
             holiness
          
           are
           as
           inseparable
           as
           
             life
          
           and
           
             motion
             ,
          
           the
           
             sun
          
           and
           
             light
             ,
             fire
          
           and
           
             heat
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           Faith
           believeth
           the
           
             threats
          
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           
             promises
          
           ;
           and
           thereupon
           
             feareth
             sin
             ,
          
           as
           it
           
             fears
             hell
             .
          
           Again
           ,
           if
           the
           
             Image
             of
             God
          
           by
           faith
           be
           repaired
           in
           you
           ,
           you
           cannot
           but
           
             love
             them
             that
             love
             God
             ,
          
           1
           
             Ioh.
          
           3.10
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           sure
           rule
           :
           That
           that
           
             perswasion
          
           only
           which
           
             follows
          
           found
           
             humiliation
             ,
          
           is
           
             Faith
          
           ;
           That
           which
           
             goes
             before
          
           it
           ,
           is
           
             Presumption
             .
          
           And
           as
           
             Ambrose
          
           speaks
           ;
           No
           man
           can
           
             repent
             of
             sin
             ,
          
           but
           he
           that
           
             beleeves
             the
             pardon
             of
             sin
          
           ;
           nor
           none
           can
           beleeve
           his
           sins
           are
           pardoned
           ,
           except
           he
           hath
           repented
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           how
           easie
           a
           matter
           soever
           men
           think
           it
           is
           to
           
             believe
          
           ;
           he
           that
           goes
           
           about
           it
           ,
           shall
           finde
           it
           as
           
             hard
          
           a
           work
           
             to
             beleeve
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           as
           
             to
             keep
             the
             Law
          
           :
           And
           onely
           
             God
          
           must
           enable
           to
           both
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           upon
           trial
           you
           evidently
           finde
           that
           you
           are
           of
           
             Christs
             little
             flock
             ,
          
           that
           you
           are
           
             regenerate
             ,
          
           and
           that
           you
           have
           this
           precious
           grace
           of
           
             Faith
             wrought
             in
             your
             heart
             ,
          
           you
           may
           comfortably
           assure
           your self
           that
           you
           shall
           be
           saved
           .
           Otherwise
           the
           
             Devil
          
           and
           
             your
             own
             heart
          
           do
           but
           
             delude
             you
             ,
          
           in
           promising
           you
           the
           least
           benefit
           by
           the
           
             blood
             of
             Christ
          
           :
           Yea
           ,
           it
           had
           been
           better
           for
           you
           ,
           that
           there
           had
           been
           no
           
             Christ
          
           come
           into
           the
           world
           :
           For
           ,
           even
           the
           
             mercy
             of
             God
             ,
          
           (
           which
           you
           have
           contemned
           )
           and
           the
           
             means
             of
             grace
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             offer
             of
             salvation
             ,
          
           shall
           but
           inhance
           your
           
             damnation
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           
             Christ
          
           himself
           that
           onely
           
             Summum
             bonum
             ,
          
           who
           is
           
             a
             Saviour
             to
          
           all
           
             Beleevers
             ,
          
           shall
           be
           a
           
             just
             Revenger
          
           to
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           go
           on
           ;
           and
           bid
           you
           
             Depart
             ye
             cursed
             into
             everlasting
             fire
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
             Matth.
          
           25.41
           .
        
         
           15
           ¶
           And
           so
           much
           ,
           for
           the
           discharge
           of
           my
           conscience
           and
           duty
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           a
           supply
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           I
           should
           have
           some
           way
           performed
           long
           since
           .
        
         
           Yet
           least
           I
           should
           imitate
           those
           ,
           who
           
             kindle
             a
             fire
             under
             greenwood
             ,
          
           and
           
             leave
             it
          
           so
           soon
           as
           it
           begins
           to
           
             flame
          
           ;
           (
           for
           I
           take
           it
           for
           granted
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           you
           will
           lay
           to
           heart
           what
           hath
           been
           said
           )
           I
           have
           sent
           you
           
             three
             Books
          
           (
           writ
           by
           an
           impartial
           Author
           ,
           not
           a
           Party
           )
           which
           I
           hold
           exceeding
           profitable
           for
           you
           to
           peruse
           .
           The
           one
           speaking
           more
           home
           and
           full
           to
           this
           matter
           .
           The
           second
           shewing
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           so
           
             many
          
           are
           
             deceived
             ,
             who
             hope
             to
             be
             saved
             .
          
           The
           third
           setting
           out
           to
           the
           life
           ,
           the
           very
           
             thoughts
             ,
             words
             ,
          
           and
           
             actions
          
           of
           all
           natural
           men
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           no
           
             glass
          
           can
           more
           lively
           
             represent
             your
             faces
             ,
          
           then
           it
           does
           
             your
             hearts
             .
          
           Therefore
           that
           you
           may
           not
           be
           
             disappointed
             of
             your
             end
             ,
             by
             mistaking
             your
             way
          
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           become
           as
           
             true
             friends
             to
             God
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           as
           you
           have
           been
           
             bitter
             enemies
          
           ;
           and
           so
           have
           your
           part
           and
           portion
           with
           them
           
             at
             Gods
             right
             hand
             ,
             where
             are
             pleasures
             for
             evermore
          
           :
           Be
           perswaded
           to
           read
           them
           ,
           with
           as
           much
           
             observation
          
           and
           
             circumspection
             ,
          
           as
           you
           would
           do
           the
           
             Evidences
             of
             your
             Inheritance
             .
          
           Neither
           count
           it
           as
           a
           thing
           
             indifferent
             ,
          
           that
           may
           either
           
             be
             done
             ,
          
           or
           
             dispensed
             with
          
           ;
           except
           you
           are
           
             indifferent
          
           whether
           you
           be
           
             saved
          
           or
           
             damned
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           so
           minde
           what
           you
           read
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           
             an
             Epistle
             writ
             from
             Heaven
             ,
          
           and
           
             sent
             to
             each
             of
             you
          
           in
           particular
           .
           Expect
           not
           that
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           himself
           from
           
             Heaven
          
           should
           call
           to
           you
           severally
           by
           name
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           to
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Ho
             Ishmael
             !
          
           such
           a
           one
           ;
           or
           
             Ho
             Elymas
             !
          
           such
           a
           one
           ;
           
             why
             doest
             thou
             persecute
             me
             ?
             I
             am
             Jesus
             whom
             thou
             persecutest
             ,
             Acts
          
           9.4
           ,
           5.
           
           Which
           yet
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           ,
           it
           were
           no
           more
           in
           effect
           then
           he
           hath
           often
           done
           ;
           nor
           would
           you
           be
           any
           more
           warned
           ,
           or
           reclaimed
           by
           it
           .
           As
           is
           evident
           by
           the
           example
           of
           
             Hazael
             ,
          
           2
           
             Kings
          
           8.12
           ,
           13
           ,
           &c.
           
           And
           by
           what
           
             Abraham
          
           told
           
             Dives
             ,
             Luk.
          
           16.31
           .
           
             If
          
           you
           
             will
             not
             beleeve
             Moses
             and
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             Christ
          
           and
           his
           
             Apostles
          
           in
           his
           
             Word
             ;
             neither
             would
             he
             be
             perswaded
             ,
             though
             one
             should
             be
             sent
             unto
             you
             from
             the
             damned
             in
             hell
             ,
          
           or
           from
           the
           
             glorified
             spirits
             in
             heaven
             .
          
           Wherefore
           
             hearken
             unto
             Conscience
          
           ;
           and
           what
           
             concerns
             you
             ,
             apply
             it
             not
             to
             others
             ,
          
           as
           the
           most
           do
           .
           Do
           not
           like
           
             a
             Childe
             ,
          
           that
           beholding
           his
           
             own
             face
             in
             a
             glass
             ,
             thinks
             he
             seeth
             another
             childes
             face
             ,
          
           and
           not
           his
           own
           .
           
             Want
             of
             Application
          
           
           makes
           
             all
             Means
             ineffectual
             .
          
           Yea
           ,
           there
           are
           very
           few
           men
           that
           make
           not
           the
           
             whole
             Bible
          
           and
           
             all
          
           the
           
             Sermons
             they
             hear
             ,
          
           yea
           the
           
             checks
             of
             their
          
           own
           
             Consciences
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             motions
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
          
           utterly
           
             ineffectual
             ,
          
           for
           want
           of
           
             wit
          
           and
           
             grace
          
           to
           apply
           the
           same
           to
           themselves
           .
           Whereas
           if
           they
           would
           rightly
           and
           ingenuously
           apply
           but
           one
           Text
           or
           two
           unto
           their
           own
           souls
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           unto
           others
           ,
           (
           being
           
             better
          
           able
           to
           
             discern
             others
             moats
             ,
          
           then
           
             their
             own
             beams
          
           )
           they
           might
           be
           everlastingly
           happy
           .
        
         
           16
           ¶
           But
           it
           is
           now
           
             a
             just
             plague
          
           upon
           our
           so
           much
           
             Formality
          
           and
           
             Profaneness
             ,
          
           under
           our
           
             so
             much
             means
          
           of
           Grace
           ;
           that
           because
           we
           (
           many
           of
           us
           )
           have
           
             heard
             the
             Word
             ,
          
           and
           enjoyed
           the
           means
           for
           
             thirty
             ,
             forty
             ,
             fifty
             years
          
           together
           ,
           and
           are
           
             never
             the
             better
             ,
          
           bring
           forth
           no
           fruits
           thereof
           ;
           that
           
             Christ
          
           should
           say
           unto
           such
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           to
           the
           
             fruitless
             Fig-tree
             ,
             Mar.
          
           11.13
           ,
           14.
           
           
             Never
             fruit
             grow
             on
             thee
             henceforward
             .
          
           And
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           if
           you
           observe
           it
           ,
           you
           shall
           very
           rarely
           hear
           of
           
             an
             old
             Formalist
             ,
          
           or
           
             Protestant
             at
             large
             ,
          
           that
           ever
           is
           converted
           ,
           (
           but
           young
           ones
           ,
           as
           
             Ministers
          
           can
           sufficiently
           inform
           you
           :
           )
           Perhaps
           they
           may
           turn
           to
           be
           
             Antinomians
             ,
             Ranters
             ,
             Quakers
             ,
          
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           and
           
             imbrace
             Error
          
           ;
           but
           they
           turn
           not
           to
           the
           
             Truth
             .
          
           Or
           if
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           
             a
             greater
             miracle
          
           then
           was
           the
           
             creating
             of
             the
             whole
             world
             .
          
           For
           ,
           in
           making
           such
           a
           one
           a
           
             New
             creature
             ,
          
           must
           be
           a
           
             number
             of
             miracles
             :
             A
             blinde
          
           man
           is
           
             restored
             to
             sight
             ,
          
           a
           
             deaf
          
           man
           to
           
             hearing
             ,
          
           a
           man
           
             possest
             with
             many
             devils
             dispossest
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           one
           not
           only
           
             dead
             in
             sin
             ,
          
           but
           
             buried
          
           in
           the
           
             grave
             of
             long
             custom
             ,
          
           with
           
             a
             grave-stone
             laid
             upon
             him
             ,
             raised
          
           from
           the
           dead
           ;
           and
           in
           every
           one
           ,
           
             a
             stone
             turned
             into
             flesh
             .
          
           In
           all
           which
           
             God
          
           meets
           with
           nothing
           but
           
             opposition
             ,
          
           which
           in
           the
           
             Creation
          
           he
           met
           not
           with
           .
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           been
           large
           :
           But
           as
           
             John
          
           could
           only
           
             baptize
             with
             water
             ,
          
           so
           I
           can
           but
           
             teach
          
           you
           
             with
             words
          
           ;
           And
           when
           
             God
          
           withholds
           his
           contemned
           grace
           ,
           
             Paul
          
           himself
           cannot
           move
           
             a
             soul
             .
          
           If
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           shall
           set
           it
           home
           to
           your
           hearts
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           so
           
             meditate
          
           on
           what
           hath
           been
           spoken
           ,
           and
           so
           
             practise
          
           what
           hath
           been
           prescribed
           ;
           that
           
             God
          
           in
           
             Christ
          
           may
           be
           
             pacified
             ,
          
           your
           sins
           by
           free-grace
           
             pardoned
             ,
          
           and
           your
           souls
           eternally
           
             saved
             :
          
           That
           while
           you
           are
           
             here
             ,
          
           you
           may
           enjoy
           the
           
             peace
             of
             God
             which
             passeth
             all
             understanding
             ,
             Phil.
          
           4.7
           .
           and
           when
           you
           
             depart
             hence
             ,
          
           you
           may
           
             arrive
             at
             the
             Haven
             of
             all
             happiness
          
           in
           
             Heaven
             ,
          
           where
           is
           
             fulness
             of
             joy
             ,
             and
             pleasures
             for
             evermore
             ;
             Blessed
          
           and
           
             happy
          
           are
           ye
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           16.11
           .
           Which
           is
           my
           
             prayer
          
           and
           
             hope
             ,
          
           and
           should
           be
           my
           
             joy
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           
             London
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Thomas
             Newcomb
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           by
           
             James
             Crump
          
           in
           Little
           
             Bartholomews
          
           Well-yard
           ,
           and
           
             Henry
             Cripps
          
           in
           Popes-Alley
           .
           1658.
           
        
         
      
      
  

