Decus & tutamen, or, Practical godliness the ornament and muniment of all religion being the subject of several sermons preached at Westminster upon Titus ii, 10 / by V. Alsop ...

I. Counsel and Advice.

MY Advice will be reduced to these two Heads.

1. What we must Avoid, if we sincerely design, or ever hope to Recover the Credit of the Doctrine of the Gospel.

2. What we must do, if we really design to contribute any thing to the healing of our wounded Gospel.

§. 1. What we must Avoid, if we sincerely design, or ever hope to Recover the Credit of the Doctrine of the Gospel?

(1.) The first Prescription must be this, t•…•…at we watch against the breakings out of ungovernable Passions. A Passionate Man's Heart is like Gun-powder; it may lie quiet and still at present, but the least spark of a Provocation sets it all in a blaze: or like the Humours in the Body, which are calm and

sedate, but they only wait an occasion to set them into a Ferment. If once we lay the Reins upon the Necks of our Passion, the inferior part runs away with the superior; that is, the Beast rides the Man, runs away with him, perhaps throws him, and breaks his Neck. In these Paroxysms, Reason and Religion are dethroned, and a base Lust usurps the place.

He that will not keep a severe Hand upon, and over these unruly Passions lies open to the Assaults and Practices of the Devil, Prov. xxv. 28. He that hath no Rule over his own spirit, is like a city that is broken down, and without walls: when the Walls are demolish'd, the strength is gone, and we become an easie Prey to our Enemy, and even tempt the Tempter to invade us. 'Tis Meekness, Hu∣mility, Patience, that gives us and keeps us in Possession of our own Souls, L•…•…ke xxi. 19.

Now consider what mischief this Passion has done to Religion: our Differences were but few till Passion multiplied them; incon∣siderable till Passion heightned and greatned them: we have no Controversies but might have been fairly buried in Christ's Grave. He that could compromise the Differences be∣tween a justly provoked God, and unjustly provoking Men, might be supposed able to compose those between Brethren: but Pride and Passion have inflamed the Reckonings,

and who now is able to quench the Flame?

As others that behold our Passions will suspect all is not right with us, so have we most Reason to suspect our selves; and to question whether ever the Word of God has taken any saving hold of our Hearts, when it cannot govern the intemperance of our Lips, Jam. i. xxvi. If any man seem to be re∣ligious, and bridleth not his tongu•…•…, that mans religion is vain. In vain, as to any accepta∣tion it finds with God; and in vain as to any satisfaction it can give the Conscience: and thus the fiery Professor tempts all the world to judge there's no Religion in him; and then to conclude, there is as little in Reli∣gion. And this is it which affrights Aliens from the good ways of God; they render Religion so unlovely, so uncomely, so little amiable, that Strangers think it better to be as, and where they are, than to become Christians, some of whom they see fitter for Bedlam, than the Church.

If we could learn to discern the Divine Providence, in Mens Provocations; and that as the evil one has a hand in them, the righteous God has an over-ruling hand in them too, it would serve to dash the Fer∣ment of our most boiling Passions, and teach us to say with the Psalmist, The Lord has •…•…idden him to curse me. The sense, and fear

of God vigorous upon our Hearts, would fortifie them against the sudden eruptions of these Distempers, Prov. xxiii. 17. My son, be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long, and let not thy heart envy sinners.

And in a word, It would abate our Passi∣on, and the Pride that feeds it, did we but calmly consider that our strongest Passions, are our greatest Impotencies, and that whilst we indulge this last, we do but make work for Repentance. And what a folly is it to give way to that which must cost us bitter Tears, and Sorrow, before we can heal those Wounds which thereby we have given both our own Consciences, and our Pro∣fession.

(2.) Let my next Advice be to avoid all Fraud, Falshood, and Over-reaching in your Covenants, Contracts, and Dealings with your Neighbours. Every Christian, besides that business he has with his God, and his own Soul, has Affairs in this World, on this side Eternal Life. In all these, let your Heart be true to God, your Tongue true to your Heart, and Heart and Tongue both true to your Neighbours, Eph. iv. 25. Where∣fore putting away all lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbour; for we are all members one of another. We are all Members either in the First Adam, or in the Second: If in the First Adam only, yet why should

we defraud our own Flesh and Blood? If in the Second, why should we wrong them that are with us, the same spirit? 1 Cor. vi. 17.

The Psalmist, Psal. xv. 1. Propounds this great Question, and propounds it to God himself, who alone could answer it, Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacle? And who shall dwell in thy holy hill? Who is that blessed Man, whom thou wilt admit to Commu∣nion with thy blessed self in Grace and Glory? And amongst other Characters that describe this person: this is one, verse 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righte∣ousness, that speaketh the truth in his heart. And verse 4. He that sweareth to his own heart and changeth not. Let others go beyond him in Temporals, he will be true to his own Soul, to his God, to his Neighbour, and the Credit of his Religion. 'Tis a great con∣tradiction to Religion to use falshood in our Commerces, and Converses. Our God is the God of Truth, his Word is the Scripture of Truth. In all that Gospel which we Preach, there's not one Proposition but what is truth; and the Apostle, 2 Cor. i. 18, 19. Purgeth himself of all Levity, and Incon∣stancy in his Promises, by the Truth of that Gospel which he Preached. As God is true our word toward you was not Yea, and Nay; It was not Yea in Promising, and Nay, in Per∣forming;

for (saith he) the son of God J•…•…sus Christ was not Yea and Nay. Every Yea of Christ is Yea; and every Nay of Christ is Nay: Fide∣lity therefore is the Image of God, and bears some strokes of his veracity; as unfaithful∣ness bears the Image of the Devil, who is a liar and the father of it: and when he sp•…•…aks a lie, he speaks of his own, John viii. 44. And if at any time he speaks a Truth, 'tis not of his own, but either by an over-ruling power extorted from him, or from some wicked end of his own used by him.

(3.) Let us be jealous of, and watchful over our selves in those things that lie near the Flesh: our Corruptions are Tinder, one spark struck into them sets all in a flame: whatever things therefore are most suitable to those Corruptions must be carefully in∣spected. Let us watch over our selves, watch against the Tempter, and his tempta∣tions, and watch as those that watch for their Souls; and then Pray that God would watch over us and all our watchings, or else we wake, and watch in vain.

The things that lie nearest our Flesh are Food and Raiment; which are apt to awaken and draw out sleeping Corruption. When we read of some, Jude 12. That feed themselves without fear: surely they know not what an Enemy they have that lies in wait to sur∣prize them. Holy Fear would suggest these

Thoughts. How know I but the Tempter has laid a baited Snare for me at my Table? And when he is Adorning the Body; how know I but I may be now preparing a Bait for anothers Soul? Let every Man study his own weak point; there it is the Devil will be sure to Aslault thee. It was a dreadful Pro∣phetick Curse which the Psalmist utters against some, Psal. lxix. 22. Let their table be made a snare; and let that which should be for their good, be to their hurt. How sad is it to find Death, in the Cup or Dish, where he seeks his Life? And yet how many Eat and drink their own damnation, perhaps at Christ's Table, and at their own! The Wise Man, or rather the Wise God has given us this Counsel, Prov. xxiii 2. When thou sittest to eat with a Ruler, consider diligently what is set before thee; and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. And these Thoughts would mortifie the cravings of the Flesh.

1. That after all our studious Catering, and Carving for the Flesh, yet we must die, and are now dying; whilst we are Eating and Drinking; perhaps whilst Sinning, we are still dying: the means of Life will not al∣ways prove effectual to preserve Life. They that fed upon Angels Food yet dyed, John vi. 19. Meat for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…oth it and them, 1 Cor. vi. 13.

2. It would greatly abate the Luxury of the Table, to consider that the Rich Glutton, who fared sumptuously every day, Luke xvi. 19. was Dead, Buried, and in Hell, where he could not by all his eloquent begging prevail for one drop of Water to cool his Tongue, scorched with those Flames.

3. And it might moderate our craving wandring Appetite, to consider that Nature is content with little, and Grace with less: and whatever is beyond these comes of evil, and leads to e•…•…il.

4. And that if we cannot deny our selves in the lesser Instances, how should we deny our selves in those more difficult Trials which Providence may possibly call us to? How shall we be able to want Necessaries, when we cannot deny these Extravagancies?

5. And what a Reproach is it to a Pro∣fessor, to feel this raging Hunger for the Meat that perisheth, when there is such a languishing affection for that which endureth to eternal Lif•…•…. What a shame that we bring sharper Stomachs to our own Tables, than to the Lord's.

§. 2. I have given you the Advice of God, what you must Avoid if you would not Defile. It remains now that I lay down those Directions which you must observe, If you will Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour in All things.

(1.) And first severely Govern your selves, and the whole Tenor of your Conversati∣ons, by that Royal Law, Matth. vii. 12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. A Law which Christ has transcribed out of the Codè of Nature into his own. A Law which once grew upon the stock of Morality, but he has transplanted and inoculated into the Gospel. Called therefore by the Apostle St. James ii. 8. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. If ye fulfil the royal law ac∣cording to the Scripture, thou shalt love thy neigh∣•…•…our as thy self, ye do well. A Law that car∣ries the fairest Stamp and Signature both of the Divine Nature and Authority. A Law that shines with its own Light into the Soul of Man. No Man would Defraud, Oppress, Persecute another, if he would give his Con∣science leave to put this Question to him, Would I be thus treated, thus dealt with my self? A due Attendance to this Rule, would not only teach us to do Justice, but to shew Mercy to Others, upon this single considera∣tion, I expect Justice, and may need Mercy and Pity from others: for certainly I am obliged to give what I expect; and to shew what I my self may need. And nothing would more reclaim Men from their Unchristi∣an, their Antichristian Barbarities, than to put our selves into the same Condition, and Case;

to suppose our selves chained in the same Prison, labouring under the same pressures, with others of our Brethren.

1. Whatever Mercy, Pity, Charity we may possibly need in our Extremity, let us learn to shew it to others in theirs. If we shut up our Bowels of Compassion, what may we expect but that God will shut up his; and that will restrain the Bowels of Compassion of all the World to us: as the first Cause either draws nigh to us, or re∣cedes from; so will the second, either assist or forsake us. This Reason the Apostle offers, Heb. xiii. 3. why we should Remember these that are in bonds, and sympathize with them, as if we were bound with them; and them that suffer affliction, as being your selves also in the body. Suppose we are not actually bound, yet we are in the body, and may be so. We are not Sick as others are, yet we are in the body, and may be so; and shall then need those Charitable Vi∣sits, that Relief, which we now forget or neglect to Administer. Or perhaps we now abound, dwell at ease, yet still we are in the body, and may soon in that very Kind need Compassion.

And this may seasonably lead us into the Admiration of the Pity, Compassion, and Bounty of our gracious God; who being out of the reach of our Necessities, yet can exercise Bowels of tender Mercy

to us poor sinning and suffering Worms; and into the Admiration of the pities of Christ, who now upon the Throne, and out of the way of those Afflictions and Tempta∣tions wherewith we are encompassed, yet has not left the Humane Nature behind him, but taken it with him into Heaven, that he might therein compassionate his di∣stressed Members, whom he is not ashamed to call his brethren, Phil ii. 11.

2. This ought to teach us to do that Ju∣stice to others which we expect others should do to us: for with what judgment we judg, we shall be judged, Matth. vii. 2. This one thing would marvellously Adorn the Gospel, when we can Convince all the World that our Re∣ligion has made us better Men, when it made us Christians, and that we brought a∣long with us Morality, when we espoused and came over to Christianity.

(2.) Secondly, Maintain a heavenly Mind, and Conversation. Let all see that though your Root be in Heaven, yet you bring forth Fruit here on Earth. It has reflected highly upon our Profession, that we believe well, but live ill: we have got a Systeme of hea∣venly Truths in our Mouths, but we dispa∣rage them with Earthly Lives. A heavenly Mind, a heavenly Frame of Heart▪ would support a heavenly Conversation; now be∣cause this is that great thing that must re∣cover

the Credit, and Honour of the Go∣spel, I will in few words shew you what it is.

1. A heavenly Mind has unmoveably fixt and pitcht upon Heaven for its great and commanding end; this is his Fathers House whither he is always Travelling: 'tis the Port for which he is Bound. And because there may be a mistake in the Notion of Heaven, as that it may be only a place of Ease, a state of Rest from the Troubles of this Life, he is satisfied that the enjoyment of God in that Place and State makes the real Heaven, Psal. lxxiii. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee?

2. The heavenly Mind, and Heart, is al∣ways vigorously pursuing that great De∣sign; and because there are many imperti∣nent avocations that would seduce or steal his Heart from his end; he shakes them off with indignation, as those that would divert him in that Holy pursuit; nor does he so much consider how much of his Race he has run, as he ties up himself to run the rest, Phil. iii. 14. Forgetting the things that are behind, and looking unto those that are before, we press to∣wards the mark for the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

3. The heavenly Mind, endeavours espe∣cially to maintain a heavenly Temper and frame of Heart; which is the life of all heavenly pursuits. The Habits of Grace must

be reduced into Act and Exercise; and Grace must be laid out to its highest and noblest end, as the best Instrument must be in Tune before the skilful Hand can make Melody upon it; so must the Heart be kept in Frame suitable to the services which are proper to it.

4. A heavenly Mind must Conform it self to, and Exercise it self in those imployments here below, which are the proper Work of Heaven: always recovering it self when it deviates from its main end, with this Questi∣on: My soul! How do the Angels, and the Spirits of just Men made perfect spend their bl•…•…ssed Eternity above? They are surely Praising, Blessing, Admiring, Adoring, Loving, and Serving their God, their Redeemer, their Sanctifier, and Comforter; and why do not we Conform our selves to their Pattern? The great Law of Heaven governs them, and e∣very Thought and Motion of their Wills: why do we not then more fervently Pray, that we may do the Will of God on Earth as ▪tis done in Heaven? With the same chearful∣ness and perseverance? And though we come short of their Perfect Love, Praise, and Ser∣vice, yet let us be Practising, and tuning our Hearts▪ and Harps, for those Hallelujahs. The Work of Eternity must be begun in time upon us, and done in time by us; nor is there a wilder Fancy that can delude the

vain Heart of Man, than to imagine we shall leap at once from a Life of murmuring and repining here, to a State of Praising and Glo∣rifying God for ever.

We cannot doubt but such a Life as this would put a New Face upon the Christian Religion, and convince the most obstinate, that we suppose Everlasting Life and Glory, to be the most Real, Certain, and Excellent Thing, when we can live at the Holy, Hea∣venly, and Chearful Rate, which supposes it to be all these; That we do firmly believe, that whatever are the inconveniencies of our Pilgrimage, a Portion in Heaven will answer them, and repay us. And that therefore we look upon our selves as dwelling in Tents and Tabernacles, without any fixed City here below, as those Holy Patriarchs once did; Heb. xi. 9. and dare not drive our Stakes too deep into the Earth, because we look long, and pray every Day to be called away home to our own Countrey.

(3.) Let us study and follow after the things that make for Peace; our God is the God of Peace; our Redeemer, the Prince of Peace; the Holy Ghost, is the Spirit of Peace; the Gospel is a Doctrine of Peace, which reveal'd peace on earth, and good will towards men. Luk. ii. 14. But to our shame, and the shame of our Profession, we have re∣presented it as a Civil War. We say we own

one God, one Lord Jesus Christ, one holy Spirit, and one hope of salvation; why then do we not keep the unity of spirit in the bond of peace, Ephes. iv. 3, 4, 5. Peace is that which every one will commend, but very few will entertain. If we regard the Orations of Men, one would think it the most precious and de∣sirable thing in the World; but if we ob∣serve their Divisions. one would conclude it the most Pernicious and Dangerous. All Dif∣ferences in Opinion do not infer a Difference in Religion, nor all Local Separation a Schism; but when the smallest Differences are ma∣naged by proud and froward Spirits, and they influenced by secular Interests, it's a won∣der to see what Flames a little Spark kin∣dles. The sum is this; Perhaps we cannot syncretize in the Minutes of Religion, nor express the finer Stroaks of Uniformity in our Sentiments; yet let us Religiously keep up a Spirit of Love to Peace and Truth. Christ has declared Love to be the Livery of his Disciples, by which they are known to be His, Joh. xiii. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. As it was the Livery he en∣joyn'd them whilst living, so was it his Le∣gacy bequeath'd to them when dying, John xiv. 27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.

(4.) Let us all most fervently cry unto God that his Holy Spirit may be poured out upon the Professors of Religion, and that it may accompany the Preaching of the Gospel; then will the Doctrine of God our Saviour shine gloriously when the Spirit shall be its Light; then will it Conquer and Triumph, when the Spirit shall second it with his Might. This is that which subdues the Pride, the Passions, the unruly Lusts of Men, and brings down whatever exalts it self against the Truth in subjection to God. This influ∣ence attending the Word shall make Perse∣cutors become Preachers; Scoffers of Reli∣gion become Admirers of what they have Scorned, and Blasphemers to justify that Name which they have Reproached; this will give the Doctrine of the Gospel a Throne in their Hearts who have trampled it under their sordid Feet. And this St. Paul well understood when he so earnestly entreats the Churches Prayers, 2 Thess. iii. 1. Brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified. When the Light shall scatter the Darkness that like a thick Cloud sits upon Mens Minds; when the Power of it shall bear down that Opposition that rages in their Hearts; when it shall break through all Impediments and make its way to the Conscience, then will the Doctrine of our God and Saviour Adorn it self, and not

need any other Ornaments we can put upon it.

I profess my self unwilling to dismiss this Argument, till it has had its proper Effects upon the Hearts and Consciences of the Rea∣ders; but I must draw to a Conclusion, which I will do with a few Considerations, humbly praying that the Great Lord and Master of the Assemblies would drive every Nail to the Head, and so fasten it in the Heart, that the Power and Policy of the Devil may never draw it out.

1. Consideration. What great Reason have we to Adorn the Doctrine of our God and Saviour, when we have been the Cause, or given the Occasion to its Dishonour. Ju∣•…•…tice demands that we should heal it, because we have wounded it. I persuade my self that there are many under the Rebukes of their own Hearts, that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ has been evil spoken of through their irregular Conversations; I hope too that many have repented, and that God has pardon'd the Iniquity of their Sin; but yet God will bear a Testimony against their careless and common Behaviour, tho' he has pardon'd the Sin. Thus he dealt with David, 2 Sam xii. 13, 14. The Lord hath put away thy sin, thou shalt not die. Nevertheless because by this d•…•…ed thou hast given great occasion to

the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme; the Child that is born unto thee shall die. In what way the Jea∣lous God will bear Witness against the present Generation of Professors, for the Scandals they have given, I presume not to determine; most certain it is, he will not put up the Af∣front without Repentance and Reformation. The safest Course for every one of us is, to confess our Sins, to take Shame to our selves, to give Glory to God, and not to blush at our Repentance, when the only thing should make us blush, is our Sins.

2. Consideration. Adorning the Gospel by a suitable Conversation, will prove the best expedient to secure its Presence with us. If we think it not worth the Adorning, we may question, whether God will think it worth his Continuing and Protecting. 'Twas dis∣ingenuous in Absalom, to spurn his poor Si∣ster out of doors, when he had defiled her; but the Justice of God will be manifest, if he removes our Gospel which we have basely prostituted. 'Tis his own threatning to the Church of Eph•…•…sus, Rev. ii. 5. Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy Can∣dlestick out of its place, except thou repent. A Father takes away the Childrens Bread, when they crumble it in scorn upon the Ground; and if he indulges them Candle to play,

yet will not allow them it to fight and quarrel.

Let us consult the Histories of Antient Times, they will inform us, that Religion was never rooted out by Persecution, till it had been made cheap by the Profanation of Professors. The Primitive Christians proved this Truth, that Religion flourisht fairer, and grew faster when it was watered with the Blood of the Martyrs. Pro•…•…perity, and that Loosness which commonly attends it, was the Poyson poured out into the Church. The fre∣quent mowing down of Christ's Field, makes it come up the thicker, and greener. Plures efficimur quoties metimur, was Tertullians Ob∣servation. Debauching Prosperity has been the greatest Enemy that ever Religion had in the World; Isa. v. 4. when God looked, as after all his Cost and Pains he might well look, that his Vineyard should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes: Go to now (saith he) I'll tell you what I will do to my vineyard, I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up, and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down, and I will lay it waste.

The Politicks of Earth are vastly different from those of Heaven, both in the Securing and the Adorning Religion. The Methods of humane Wisdom to secure Religion, proceed thus. They hedge it about with strict Laws and severe Penalties, which sometimes are

as cruel as the Crimes they would restrain are Enormous; and whilst by these Artifices they would entail Religion upon Posterity, corruption of Doctrine, defiling of Worship, and loosness of Manners provokes God to cut off the Entail. And thus when we have lost the Power of Religion upon our Hearts, and the Purity of it in our Lives, our Care is to supply the Defect, by trimming and tricking it up with gaudy ceremonial Or∣naments. How much more beautiful were our first Parents in their Original Nakedness, than when the Sense of Sin and Shame taught them to patch together a few Fig-leaves to cover it; but Religion is its own Strength, its own Beauty. 'Tis its own Ornament and Muniment; nothing adorns, nothing secures Religion, but Religion. Let us therefore shew an Exemplary Conversation, and this will Beautify, this will Fortify it better than all our politick Contrivances, and fruitful In∣ventions.

It was a Glorious Promise which God gave to the Gospel-Church, under the Notion of Jerusalem; Zech. ii. 4, 5. Jerusalem shall be in∣habited as Towns without walls and bulwarks. For I, saith the Lord, will be a wall of fire round about her, and will be the glory in the midst of her. Holiness engages God's special Presence, and that Presence is our Protection. Secure God's Glory in the Center, and we

shall have a Wall of Fire in the Circumfe∣rence. A parallel Promise we have, Isa. iv. 5. Upon all the Glory, there shall be a Defence. If therefore we are careless of that Glory, let us make what Walls we can, our Walls of Water and of Wood will deceive us; no∣thing but such a Holiness as will engage the Divine Presence and Protection can se∣cure us, and the Gospel of God our Saviour unto us.

3. Cansideration. Nothing but a holy ex∣emplary Conversation can possibly propagate the Gospel abroad; our Lives speak louder than our Words; and we may with more ease live Men over, than dispute them over to Christ. Let us be never so Zealous in our Arguings, they will readily retort it up∣on us; Why do you persuade to go to Zion, when you your selves are running to Babylon? In vain did we plead with others to Turn, and look towards Heaven, if we are tread∣ing the broad way that leads towards Hell. Do we then, indeed, wish well to the Kingdom of Christ? Should we rejoyce to see the heathen given him for his inheri∣tance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possessions? First, remove the stumbling Blocks we have laid in the way of their Con∣version, then win them over by an Hea∣venly, Holy, Sober, Righteous Conversation;

speak so that Men may see that what you speak you believe to be Truth.

There were more brought in and con∣verted in the first Twenty Years of the •…•…e∣formation, than in the last Century; and of our few Modern Converts it's to be fear'd some of them need Conversion.

This was the Glory of the early Days of Christianity, Act. 2. 46. They continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God,—And the Lord added daily to the Church such as should be saved. And the same Suc∣cess the Gospel had upon the same reason, Act. ix. 31. Then had the Churches rest, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost were multiplied.

4. Consideration. The Adorning of the Go∣spel by a holy practical Conversation, would contribute much to the healing of our pre∣sent deplorable Divisions, our scandalous Se∣parations, and that Spirit of frowardness and perverseness which has possess'd this present Generation.

The Differences amongst us are not so great as are imagined, nor yet so small as not to be lamented; Wisdom, Humility, and a temper of Moderation, might have ma∣naged

as great Matters as these came to, without any notable Scandal; but a Spirit of Pride, Hatred, uncharitable Censoriousness, has inflamed these little things to a prodigious height: Now the process was thus.

Some Professors had given Offence by their remiss, or perhaps some irregular Walking, there began the Offence; first at the Person, then at the Profession. The Disgust at one grew up to a Disgust against all of the same Denomination; from an Ossence at the Per∣sons, it grew up into a Distaste of their Wor∣ship, and Administrations, and when this di∣viding Zeal had usurpt the Title of Divine Fervour, then Heaven and Earth, Church and State, must be involved in unquenchable Flames. This was therefore the generous Spi∣rit of the Apostle, 2 Cor. xi. 12. What I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

But I must shut up this Discourse, which a sincere desire to restore our Holy Religion to its due Honour and Repute, has made to grow under my hands, to a bulk far greater than at first designed.

Give me leave to reassume my Exhorta∣tion; I beseech you Brethren by the Mercies of God, and the Bowels of our Lord and Sa∣viour, that you would consider and pity the sad Case of his blessed Gospel, which has

been wounded either by our hands, or through our sides; and make it your great Business to Adorn it in All things. I deny not but though you should walk like Angels, there are a Ge∣neration of Men would reproach you as De∣vils; but yet there are many Curable Souls, whose Reconciliation to the Ways of God, wants nothing, waits for nothing so much, as that you should shew them the way to Heaven by your Heavenly Example: And that our Endeavours may be successful, let us all join with the Prophet in his Pious Prayer, Hab. iii. 2. O Lord I have heard thy speech and was afraid: O Lord revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy,

Amen.