A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Now, though we be not entangled with these gross sins, yet we cannot excuse our selves from this sin of luke-warmness. For the want of zeal of Gods glory, of love to his truth, of care to obey his commandments, and to keep good conscience, the want of hatred of sin, what argue all these but luke-warmness? Herein we must lay our hand upon our mouth with Job; for we cannot plead with God, no not for this common sin. But that we may be out of all doubt that this sin of luke-warmness, hath infected our congregations, as it did this Church of Laodicea: I will make it plain by the signs thereof, which are common among us, that so we may the better know our fearful estate.

Now, though we be not intangled with these grosse sinnes, yet we cannot excuse our selues from this sinne of luke-warmenesse. For the want of zeale of Gods glorie, of loue to his truth, of care to obey his commaundements, and to keepe good conscience, the want of hatred of sinne, what argue all these but luke-warmenes? Herein wee must lay our hand vpon our mouth with Iob; for wee cannot plead with God, no not for this common sinne. But that we may be out of all doubt that this sinne of luke-warmenesse, hath infected our congregations, as it did this Church of Laodicea: I will make it plaine by the signes thereof, which are common amonge vs, that so wee may the better know our fearefull estate.

The first sign is, Negligence in the duties of that true Religion which we profess: this appeareth sundry ways; for first, howsoever we come to the assemblies where the word is preached, yet few do profit there, by increase in the knowledge of that Religion which is taught, and in the amendment of life. This may any man see to be true, that hath half an eye to look into the state of our assemblies, and mens own consciences will herein witness against them. Again, where Gods word is ordinarily heard, there are very few that spend any time in searching out, and trying whether the things be so or not which are taught them. Nay, men will not be at cost to buy a Bible: and if they have one, yet they will not take pains to read the same, at least in such a constant course as they ought to do. Thirdly the Lords Sabbath is broken, for though most men at set times will come into the congregation; yet there is not that private sanctifying of the Sabbath after the congregations are dissolved, which Gods word requireth; but men betake themselves to their own affairs, and to outward delights; to omit those that have no care at all of sanctifying the Sabbath in any sort. Now these persons must needs want both knowledge, obedience, and all sound grace that will not set apart some time, wherein they should employ themselves in Gods word: and by these signs it is evident, that there is a grievous disease of negligence in the duties of Religion, that infects our congregations. Now where this negligence is, though coldness be not, there cannot be zeal, and so luke-warmness must needs abound.