A Lamenting vvord shewing how there is a desertion come upon us, and what are the evils, and with whom they are found that have procured it unto us / delivered by way of testimony unto the present work of God and against the defection of these times in the drawing back of many from it.

The Sin of our Teachers.

THere is also found folly and sin among our Teachers, which has added affliction to the misery; I speak of such, who as the brighter Stars in our heavens, have o∣pened unto us the knowledge of Gospel-misteries in a clearer way, and in fuller measures of light and comfort unto dark and wounded sinners, than others had done before; by means whereof the knowledge of the Lord Jesus did so cover our Land, as that the mists and fogs of former darkness, the yoke and spirit of bondage, which bowed down both ours and our fathers necks, Legality, Superstition and Tyranny, began to give place and vanish away: they were for a season as burning and shining Lights; their Doctrine kindled such a fire in the hearts of many, as burnt down ••he old, corrupted, National Church-state, with the Pillars and Gates thereof, Mo∣narchy, and Prelacy, Court, and Conclave; their Do∣ctrine sent forth such a Light as gave a just and worthy ad∣vancement unto Grace above all Creature-works; unto Christ as sole Law-giver in the Churches, above all Na∣tional or Politick Jurisdict on; and unto the Unction and gifts of the Spirit above all School-learning, or humane qualification whatsoever; insomuch as old things began to pass away, and a glimpse of better things appeared, a new Church, new Government, new King, and new World to be looked for.

But these Teachers being had in high esteem for their works sake, and having received double honor, instead of giving the glory to their Master, took it to themselves; and looking upon themselves as excelling many in Gifts, as embraced of many Christians, as honored of great Men, they fell in love with these their fleshly privileges; and thereby were led aside to seek after honor to their Gifts, ease to their Persons, and establishment to their Interests, and so neglected the promoting of those preti∣ous

and glorious Truths, which themselves had travel'd with before, and which rendred them as a sweet savour unto God, and as the Angels of the Lord to many of his People; and so by degrees at last fell into a compliance with that very Interest under a new name and disguise, which themselves had abandoned before, as under the de∣testable names of Tyranny and Anti christianism: some of them leaving the work of the Church for a lazy Col∣ledge life; and the Ministry of the Word to attend upon Philosophy; leaving the Communion of Christians for the treasures and promotions of Pharaohs house, chusing rather these treasures of Egypt than the reproach of Christ; — O••hers become Tryers, Lords over their breth en, exercising that Authori••y by humane deputa∣tion, which themselves had contended against before, as robbery to the Churches of Christ: — and many o∣thers with their whole Churches fallen into such a slum∣ber, security and ease in present things, as that they have lost the exercise of their spiritual senses to discern the pro∣mised good things to come, and what is their present duty in order thereunto: wherefore the Lord has brought upon many of our Teachers a sore desertion for their sin, which may be seen herein.

First, in the loss of that faith, light, and zeal they had in the beginning of the day, and which the further work of the day cals for, in order to the building of Zion, and the lifting up the Lord Jesus unto that Throne of Dignity and Power over all the Earth as he is annointed unto, by the overturning and dissolution of the present state of all Nations and Kingdoms.

Secondly, in their want of spiritual savor and relish unto a fuller Reformation of things, and unto them that seek and expect such things.

Thirdly, in that they had sometimes escaped the Cor∣ruptions of the Anti-christian Ministry, Lordly prehemi∣nence, rigid imposing principles, plurality of places, greediness of Lucre, Men-pleasing, Time-serving practi∣ses, living in pleasures, sitting, lying down, loving to

slumber; but they are now again entangled therein, and seem to be so well pleased in the present polluted state of things, as that they are become dead to those desires and workings of heart after those better promises of good things to come on earth, that they sometimes pressed af∣ter: thus are many of our Stars fallen from heaven, as a fig-tree casteth her untimely fruit; whereby we may dis∣cern some signs of the times that are upon us.