more then two hundred thousand who suffered Martyrdom about Transubstan∣tiation: See Ecclesiastical History, lib. 6. cap. 4, 5, 16. But
Seventh••y, To come to these present times wherein we live: Is it possible for a man to live a conscionable and unreproveable life? abstain from drun∣kennesse, swearing, prophaning the Lords day, separate himself from evill com∣pany, be zealous for the glory of God, admonish others that do amisse &c. with∣out being traduced, calumniated, hated, slandered and persecuted for the same? no it is not possible: for if our righteousnesse doe but exceed the righteous∣ness of a swearer, or a drunkard, we are sure to be persecuted for our righteous∣ness, as Abel was persecuted of Cain, because his Sacrifice was better then his. If a man walke according to the rule of Gods Word, he is too precise; if he will be more then almost a Christian, he is curious, phantastical, facti∣ous, and shall be mocked with the Spirit, as if the Spirit of God were a Spi∣rit of dishonour and shame. Yea, in these times not to be an Atheist, or Pa∣pist, is to be a Fanatick: as how common a thing is it to wound all holiness under the name of Fanatick, a name so full of the Serpents enmity, as the egge of a Cockatrice is full of poison? What should I say? the World is grown so much knave, that 'tis now a vice to be honest. O the deplorable conditi∣on of these times! Even the Devil himself durst not have been so impu∣dent, as to have scoft at holiness in those ancient and purer times: but now I could even sink down with shame, to see Christianity every where so dis∣countenanced: Our very names come into few mouths, out of which they return but with reproaches. Amongst the rest of our sins, O God, be merci∣ciful to the contempt of thy Servants.
Eightly, For the time to come: It is like not only to continue, but the last remnants of time are sure to have the most of it; because as in them love shall wax cold, Matth. 24.12. so as love groweth cold, contention groweth hot.
More expresly the Holy Ghost foretells, that in the last dayes the times shall be per••lous, and that toward the end of the world, there shall be scoffers, false ac∣cusers, cursed speakers, fierce, despisers of them that are good; and being steshly, not having the spirit▪ th••y shall speak evill of the things which they understand not: and that many shall follow their damnable ways, whereby the way of truth shall be evill spoken of. And that as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses, so these also shall resist the truth, being men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith, being before of old ordained to condemnation, 2 Tim. 3.1. to 13. 2 Pet. 2. 2 and 3.3. Jude 4 10.16, 18, 19. And so much of the third particular.