And this is the cause why at this day there is such an universal consent,1 almost in all places, to that which is evil. For although through Gods mercy, light is come ⟨p. 154⟩into the world, yea, to this Land, and the blessed gospel, and glad tidings of salvation is revealed, maintained,2 and by his Majesties highness, defended amongst us, and by his royal authority & commandment preached thorough his dominion, yet as it is said, men love darkness more then light, because their deeds are evil: and hereby it is that inferior magistrates in many places, do not countenance and further the sincere preaching of it, encouraging (as they ought with all their ability) both preacher and people, but rather jostle it out from among them, and content themselves with the bare reading of the scriptures. And here of it is that ⟨p. 155⟩the ministers themselves, who have not the power of the gospel working in them, and subduing themselves, and therefore loving profit, pleasure, and preferment more then godliness; cannot, nor will not take pains to enlighten and reform others, and to beat down the works of darkness, and of the devil among them. And hereof consequently it ariseth; that the people remain in ignorance and bondage to their evil lusts. More particularly to come nearer to our selves: hereof it is that common disorders, and open abominations remain among us, now after 60. years preaching in this land, which should be the Land of the righteous: ⟨p. 156⟩and hereby it is, that heathenish games, lobs of misrule, with money dancings, are still retained in some parts of it, with Atheism & gross profaneness, yea, even on the sabbath it self, and that in time of divine service, prayer and preaching, are by troupes and companiships practised, and defended. And the grossest sins, as popery, adultery, drunkenness, oppressing, deceiving, have so many favourites with like abomination: that it may clearly be seen, there wants no consent in any of them, but the practisers are so many and well known, that as all trades in London of any reckoning, have their companies which profess, maintain ⟨p. 157⟩and live by them, as the company of Mercers, the company of Goldsmiths, Merchant Tailors, Drapers and the like: so ye may reckon up in all kinds of sin among us, (such is the consent therein, and so great and common are the fellowships of them;
And this is the cause why at this day there is such an vniuersall consent,1 almost in all places, to that which is euill. For although through Gods mercy, light is come ⟨p. 154⟩into the world, yea, to this Land, and the blessed gospell, and glad tydings of saluation is reuealed, maintained,2 and by his Maiesties highnes, defended amongst vs, and by his royall authority & commandment preached thorough his dominion, yet as it is said, men loue darkenes more then light, because their deeds are euill: and hereby it is that inferior magistrates in many places, doe not countenance and further the syncere preaching of it, incouraging (as they ought with all their abillity) both preacher and people, but rather iustle it out from among them, and content themselues with the bare reading of the scriptures. And heere of it is that ⟨p. 155⟩the ministers themselues, who haue not the power of the gospell working in them, and subduing themselues, and therefore louing profit, pleasure, and preferment more then godlines; cannot, nor will not take paines to enlighten and reforme others, and to beate downe the workes of darknes, and of the diuell among them. And heereof consequently it ariseth; that the people remaine in ignorance and bondage to their euill lusts. More particularly to come nearer to our selues: hereof it is that common discorders, and open abominations remaine among vs, now after 60. yeares preaching in this land, which should bee the Land of the righteous: ⟨p. 156⟩and hereby it is, that heathenish games, lobbes of misrule, with money dauncings, are still retayned in some parts of it, with Atheisme & grosse prophanenes, yea, euen on the sabboth it selfe, and that in time of diuine seruice, prayer and preaching, are by troupes and companiships practised, and defended. And the grossest sinnes, as popery, adultery, drunkennes, oppressing, deceiuing, haue so many fauorites with like abhomination: that it may cleerely be seen, there wants no consent in any of them, but the practisers are so many and well knowne, that as all trades in London of any reckoning, haue their companies which professe, maintaine ⟨p. 157⟩and liue by them, as the company of Mercers, the company of Goldsmithes, Merchant Taylors, Drapers and the like: so ye may reckon vp in all kindes of sinne among vs, (such is the consent therein, and so great and common are the fellowships of them;
- 1And by experience.
- 2Jo. 3. 16.Io. 3. 16.
