The other part of Christian questions and answers which is concerning the sacraments, writ[n]…The other parte of Christian questions and answeares which is concerning the sacraments, writte[n]…

The godly groan in this great overflowing of sin, and the whole earth tottereth with the weight thereof, and yet where are the true fruits of our repentance? O we fast and pray: I am very glad of that good forwardness and readiness in our Christian Magistrates, but I would to GOD that we knew the true fast, that we came not before GOD like hypocrites, but as instructed and true humbled Christians, that these strange things might indeed fear us from our sins, and make us reformed from the heart: then should the Calves of our lips be Sacrifices of a sweet savour before our GOD, ⟨image 8⟩flowing from a true and lively Faith which should hold us up in a better hope, and should work in us, both to witness to others, & to seal to our selves, that we were no counterfeits, but true Christians. And unless this effect be truly wrought in us, let us never flatter our selves, though in some cold sort we use these outward exercises, and bow down our heads like bull rushes. No no, God must have a thorough change wrought in us, or else he will change our places: we must savour more of mortification, and holiness must shine in some measure in us. Let the world therefore, in that same godless contempt of God & his divine judgement, see what fell upon their predecessors the wicked, that lived in Sodom and Gomorrah, and would not hear the Preacher of righteousness. If they have the like pride, hard heartednes, riot, idleness, and filthiness not to be named, where will they stand when the earth shall sink at Gods judgements? Was God just in punishing the Sichemittes, in ⟨image 8⟩hanging up those twelve Princes, in slaying 24000. in the wilderness, in rooting out the Tribe of Benjamin, in destroying the sons of Hely, in banishing of David, &c? and will he not punish us, which are sunk deeper in such transgressions? But as it is a most certain sign of speedy and unrecoverable destruction, when men besides their sins live in all impurity and contempt of repentance: so it must needs confirm Gods great judgement to be at hand, that the world is so secure every where, and forgetful of those wonderful examples, that have been in time tofore. Before Babylon becked to destruction, GOD shook it with a fearful Earthquake under Sparett, the 17. King of the Assyrians.

The godly grone in this great ouerflowing of sinne, and the whole earth tottereth with the waight therof, and yet where are the true fruites of our repentaunce? O wee fast and pray: I am very glad of that good forwardnesse and readinesse in our Christian Magistrates, but I woulde to GOD that wee knewe the true faste, that wee came not before GOD lyke hypocrites, but as instructed and true humbled Christians, that these strange things might indeede feare vs from our sinnes, and make vs refourmed from the hearte: then shoulde the Calues of our lyppes bee Sacrifices of a sweete sauour before our GOD,