Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…

stood upright and unshaken, like an unmoveable Rock, against all the tempestuous storms and swelling seas of the most furious persecutions that ever were raised by the powers of hell against mortal man: and did so shake the kingdom of Antichrist, that since that time, the most glorious light of the Gospel, and resurrection of Saving Truth hath broken out upon, and blessed the face of Christendom, that did ever shine upon earth, or was seen amongst the sons ⟨p. 58⟩of men. Herein was he like unto Athanasius: As he opposed the Arian, so Luther the whole Antichristian world; and they both in despite of all adversary malice, both from Man and Devil, ^sgave up blessedly their happy souls in peace into the bosom of JESUS CHRIST, whom they had formerly served so faithfully, and for whose sake they had gloriously suffered so much. Thus you see, when GOD singles out and designs any of His for some special services, and extraordinary sufferings, He ever furnisheth them before-hand with singularity of gifts, and sufficiency of spiritual ability to go through, and stand to it to death. But now on the other side, He will never break a bruised reed, nor quench smoking flax, Isa. 42. 3. but will ever gather the Lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young, Isa. 40. 11. I make no doubt, but that in Queen Mary's days He mercifully hid many a good soul from the implacable fury of those Popish morning Wolves: who, though they were in a saving state, and loved the LORD JESUS in sincerity, Ephes. 6. 24. yet they wanted strength to stand in the face of the fiery tempests of those times.

stood upright and unshaken, like an unmooveable Rocke, against all the tempestuous stormes and swelling seas of the most furious persecutions that ever were rais'd by the powers of hell against mortall man: and did so shake the kingdome of Antichrist, that since that time, the most glorious light of the Gospell, and resurrection of Saving Truth hath broken out upon, and blessed the face of Christendome, that did ever shine upon earth, or was seene amongst the sonnes ⟨p. 58⟩of men. Herein was he like unto Athanasius: As he opposed the Arrian, so Luther the whole Antichristian world; and they both in despite of all adversary malice, both from Man and Devill, ^sgave up blessedly their happy soules in peace into the bosome of IESVS CHRIST, whom they had formerly served so faithfully, and for whose sake they had gloriously suffered so much. Thus you see, when GOD singles out and designes any of His for some speciall services, and extraordinary sufferings, He ever furnisheth them before-hand with singularity of gifts, and sufficiency of spirituall abilitie to go thorow, and stand to it to death. But now on the other side, He will never breake a bruised reed, nor quench smoking flaxe, Isa. 42. 3. but will ever gather the Lambs with His arme, and carie them in His bosome, and gently lead those that are with young, Isa. 40. 11. I make no doubt, but that in Queene Maries daies He mercifully hid many a good soule from the implacable fury of those Popish morning Wolves: who, though they were in a saving state, and loved the LORD IESVS in sincerity, Ephes. 6. 24. yet they wanted strength to stand in the face of the fiery tempests of those times.

1. sInvitis, Diabolo, persecutoribus, Papists, Athanasius & •utherus, nobile Heroum par, placidissimâ morte ex hâc vitâ excesserunt. Hear the story: Athanasius post multiplicia certamina▪ (qualia vix ullum E• clesiae Doctorem sustinuisse legimus) placidissimá morte ex hac vitâ excessit: cum ab initio usque ad finem sui Episcopatus Alexandrinae Ecclesiae praefuisset quadraginta sex antis: adversus quem lotus penè orbis conspiravit. Neque tamen (ut D. D. Lutherum) eum violent• morte ex hoc mundo exturbare potuit. Osiand. Hi•. Eccles. Cent. 4. Lib. 2. Cap. 16.Invitis, Diabolo, persecutoribus, Papis•s, Athanasius & •utherus, nobile Heroum par, placidissimâ morte ex hâc vitâ excesserunt. Heare the story: Athanasius post multiplicia certamina▪ (qualia vix ullum E• clesiae Doctorem sustinuisse legimus) placidissimá morte ex hac vitâ excessit: cum ab initio usque ad finem sui Episcopatus Alexandrinae Ecclesiae praefuisset quadraginta sex an•is: adversus quem •otus penè orbis conspiravit. Neque tamen (ut D. D. Lutherum) eum violent• morte ex hoc mundo exturbare potuit. Osiand. Hi•. Eccles. Cent. 4. Lib. 2. Cap. 16.

6. Beware lest any earthly contentment encroach upon, impair, and eat up thy delight in heavenly things. But let thy spiritual joy ever utterly over-weigh all humane miseries, and overtop incomparably all worldly pleasures. And there is good reason for it: In respect, Of the 1. Object. The matter, whereupon earthly joy ⟨p. 59⟩doth feed, is base and vile, filth and fashions, gaming and good-fellowship, revelling, and in our days, even roaring, lust and luxury, &c. and other such froth and fooleries, the very garbage of hell; at the best corn, wine, oil, gold, greatness, offices, honours, high rooms, Princely favours, &c. as transitory as an hasty headlong torrent, a shadow, a ship, a bird, an arrow, a Post that hasteth by; or if you can name any thing of swifter wing, and sooner gone. But the object about which spiritual joy is exercised, are ^tJEHOVAH blessed for ever, ^uHis free and everlasting love, ^xthe light of His countenance, His ^ysweet name, ^zThat our names are written in heaven; the ^aSon of His Love, His Person, whose glory, beauty, amiableness, sweetness and excellency is something shadowed (but infinitely short) by outward beauties, Cant. 5. 10. ^bThe preciousness of His meritorious blood, ^cexceeding great and precious Promises, ^dpardon of sins, ^e

it makes quick, active, and excellent for the discharge of any divine duty. 5. Calling to mind, carnal joy in the evil day torments extremely, and turns it into gall and worm-wood: but remembrance of those sweetest glimpses, and heavenly dews of spiritual joy which were wont to shine into, and refresh our humbled souls when we were conscionably busied in the ways and work of the LORD, will serve as a precious cordial, to re-comfort our spirits in sadder times, and surest pledge of their most certain return in due time. 6. Spiritual joy is many times much enlarged in times of tribulation: But the heart of the wicked is sorrowful in laughter, and troubled with melancholy amidst their greatest mirth. 7. Spiritual joy is ordinarily most free, full, and at the highest in solitariness, soliloquies, and the ⟨p. 61⟩most retired exercises of the soul: but carnal joy and want of company are for the most part incompatible. And it is kept in that poor little dying life it hath, by good-fellowship, and sensual employments. 8. Carnal joy ever ends in bitterness, spiritual in blessedness. As the rivers of fresh water run their course with an hasty current to fall into the salt Sea; so the Posting Sun of all worldly pleasures after a short gleam, and vain glistering, sets in the Ocean of endless sorrow.

it makes quicke, active, and excellent for the discharge of any divine duty. 5. Calling to mind, carnall joy in the evill day torments extremely, and turnes it into gall and worme-wood: but remembrance of those sweetest glimpses, and heavenly deawes of spirituall joy which were wont to shine into, and refresh our humbled soules when we were conscionably busied in the waies and worke of the LORD, will serve as a precious cordiall, to re-comfort our spirits in sadder times, and surest pledge of their most certaine returne in due time. 6. Spirituall joy is many times much enlarged in times of tribulation: But the heart of the wicked is sorrowfull in laughter, and troubled with melancholy amidst their greatest mirth. 7. Spirituall joy is ordinarily most free, full, and at the highest in solitarinesse, soliloquies, and the ⟨p. 61⟩most retired exercises of the soule: but carnall joy and want of company are for the most part incompatible. And it is kept in that poore little dying life it hath, by good-fellowship, and sensuall imployments. 8. Carnall joy ever ends in bitternesse, spirituall in blessednesse. As the rivers of fresh water run their course with an hasty current to fall into the salt Sea; so the Posting Sun of all worldly pleasures after a short gleame, and vaine glistering, sets in the Ocean of endlesse sorrow.

8. Possess thy mind betime of many mortifying motives and meditations, to master the immoderate fear of death the king of terror, and then thou wilt be able with far more patience and resolution to digest all petty troubles and miseries in the mean time. For which purpose Ponder upon these Points.

8. Possesse thy mind betime of many mortifying motives and meditations, to master the immoderate feare of death the king of terrour, and then thou wilt be able with farre more patience and resolution to digest all petty troubles and miseries in the meane time. For which purpose Ponder upon these Points.

1. There is almost no man, but he hath suffered more pain in his life, than ordinarily he shall pass through in death. The pangs of death (saith Mr. Ward) are often less than of the tooth-ache. 2. The covenant of GOD is of force with us,¹ as we lie in the dust of the earth, Mat. 22. 31, 32. ⟨p. 63⟩3. Our union with CHRIST holds still, Col. 1. 18. As the Hypostatical did, when CHRIST lay in the grave. 4. Death is but a sleep, 1 Thess. 2. 13. Acts 7. 60. 5. ^mCHRISTS death hath taken away the sting, and sweetened it to all His, Heb. 2. 15. 6. It is but a sturdy Porter, opening the Door of Eternity, and letting us into Heaven• A rougher passage to eternal pleasures. 7. It is but like the fall of a wheat corn into the ground, and dying, that it may spring up afterwards more gloriously, Joh. 12. 24. 8. It is but a Departing out of this world unto the Father, Joh. 1. 31. 9. It is called in the Old Testament, A gathering to their Fathers. 10. Jacob made nothing of it. And Israel said unto Joseph: Behold, I die. Gen. 48. 21. And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

1. There is almost no man, but he hath suffer'd more paine in his life, than ordinarily he shall passe thorow in death. The pangs of death (saith Mr. Ward) are often lesse than of the tooth-ache. 2. The covenant of GOD is offorce with us,

9. Let us trim our lamps betime, I mean try our spiritual states: for there are many foolish virgins; and many thousands, who for want of a true touch-stone and sound trial this way, find the pit of destruction to have shut her mouth upon them irrevocably and for ever, before they will acknowledge themselves to be wide of the right way to heaven. I have been often upon this argument, at this time I desire only to discover the delusion of the greatest part by an imaginary ⟨p. 64⟩faith; and of understanding and worldly-wise men by a temporary faith, and that in short.

9. Let us trimme our lamps betime, I meane try our spirituall states: for there are many foolish virgins; and many thousands, who for want of a true touch-stone and sound triall this way, find the pit of destruction to have shut her mouth upon them irrevocably and for ever, before they will acknowledge themselves to be wide of the right way to heaven. I have beene often upon this argument, at this time I desire onely to discover the d•lusion of the greatest part by an imaginary ⟨p. 64⟩faith; and of understanding and worldly-wise men by a temporary faith, and that in short.

For the first sort; these four Demands may easily discover and destroy the vanity of their spiritual self-cozenage and soul-deceit.

For the first sort; these foure Demaunds may easily discover and destroy the vanity of their spirituall selfe-cousenage and soule-deceit.

1. Ask them how they came by their faith, when they begun to believe, &c. and their ordinary answer will be this, or the like: We cannot tell: we are not such Atheists, or so profane, but we have believed ever since we were borne: we have ever trusted in CHRIST, and made account of Him as our Saviour: We never doubted, but that He which made us, ⁿwill have mercy on us, &c. but now these poor deluded ignorants are in the mean time mere strangers to any work of the spirit of bondage, and pangs of the new-birth, which would have taught them with a witness to have taken notice what a mighty work and admirable change the glorious Sun of saving faith is wont to cause wheresoever it comes. They could never yet sensibly and heartily cry, We are unclean, we are unclean; we are sick, we are lost, we are heavy-laden, we are undone, we die, we are damned; except we drink of the water of life, wash in that Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, and have a blessed part in the passion and purity of JESUS CHRIST, &c. Whereas now the true believer can tell you readily and experimentally, that he was first enlightened, convinced and terrified with sight, sense, and sorrow for sin; and so on, as you shall find it Instruct. for comfort▪ afflict. Consc. pag. 324. & seq. But especially ⟨p. 65⟩fair fall one good token: ever when justifying faith is infused, there is a thorough-sale of all […], The Pearl of great price will never be had, except all be sold: which is a matter so remarkable, a•d makes such a miraculous change in a man, that i• cannot choose but be strongly remembered, and with greatest astonishment, and th• even for ever, both in this world and th• world to come. Sensual pleasures and bosom• si•es are notoriously na•l'd and glued to a ca• […]: they are as near and dear unto it, as […] dainty and delicious meat to the p•te; […] (saith Zophar) is sweet in his m•th, he hies i under his

nay, and as the most necessary and noble parts, the right eye, and the right hand; If thy right eye offend thee (saith CHRIST) pluck it out, and cast it from thee:—And if thy ¹right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: yea dearer then very life it self to flesh and blood: For we may observe and see too often such sons of pleasure, and slaves of lust to have no joy in this life, after they have lost the joy of this life. Hence it is, that many times the wretched worldling being robbed one way or other of the very ⟨p. 66⟩life of his life, his wedge of gold and hoards of wealth, makes an end of himself: that the wanton missing of his lustful aim and much desired choice, finds no pleasure in this life; but cuts off himself by a violent and untimely death: that Ahithophel being disgraced and over-topped in a Point of Policy, the crown and pride of his worldly happiness, put his household in order, and hanged himself. Well then, if it be thus, that parting from carnal pleasures be as painful and vexing, as if a man should pull the meat from our mouth, the chain from our neck, clothes from our back, the limbs from our body, the right arm from our shoulder, the eyes out of our head, and as the loss of our life, that happy soul which bids adieu everlastingly to all earthly delights, must needs take extraordinary notice, and be able for ever to give a ready and most sensible account of such a mighty change and marvellous work.

nay, and as the most necessary and noble parts, the right eye, and the right hand; If thy right eye offend thee (saith CHRIST) plucke it out, and cast it from thee:—And if thy ¹right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: yea dearer then very life it selfe to flesh and bloud: For we may observe and see too often such sonnes of pleasure, and slaves of lust to have no joy in this life, after they have lost the joy of this life. Hence it is, that many times the wretched worldling being robbed one way or other of the very ⟨p. 66⟩life of his life, his wedge of gold and hoards of wealth, makes an end of himselfe: that the wanton missing of his lustfull aime and much desired choise, finds no pleasure in this life; but cuts off himself by a violent and untimely death: that Achitophel being disgraced and over-top'd in a Point of Policy, the crowne and pride of his worldly happinesse, put his houshold in order, and hang'd himselfe. Well then, if it be thus, that parting from carnall pleasures be as painfull and vexing, as if a man should pull the meat from our mouth, the chaine from our necke, clothes from our backe, the limbes from our body, the right arme from our shoulder, the eyes out of our head, and as the losse of our life, that happy soule which bids adieu everlastingly to all earthly delights, must needs take extraordinary notice, and be able for ever to give a ready and most sensible account of such a mighty change and marvellous worke.

2. Ask them, how they keep their faith: and they will tell you, they thank GOD, they are not troubled about it. They find no such scruples, doubts, distrusts, fears, jealousies, terrors, temptations, desertions, wants, weaknesses, &c. as some preciser fellows, who stand so much upon their profession, strictness, conscience, and other singularities above ordinary, so much talk of, and take to heart. They see no such necessity of running after sermons, so much reading, prayer, poring upon precise books, recourse to Puritan-Ministers, Humiliation-days, &c. They can believe quietly, follow their business, and go to ⟨p. 67⟩Heaven without so much ado. Nay, they are so far from being troubled in any of these kinds, that if any amongst them be troubled in mind, and extraordinarily visited with spiritual distress, the portion many times of GODS dearest children; they presently please and applaud themselves, that they are free; and conceive and peremptorily conclude that the afflicted is an hypocrite, hath been a more heinous sinner then others, or meddled too much with Scripture-businesses and divine matters. But now the true believer holds the precious heavenly Jewell of justifying Faith with much ado, difficulty and ^*doubtings. He is as careful and covetous (if it be possible) to preserve and save this Pearl, as the worldling his gold. For this purpose, he passeth through many fore and bitter conflicts with the fiercest assaults and fieriest darts of the Devil; (for he knows full well, that that is the arm and power of GOD unto us, for all sound comfort and spiritual wellbeing, and therefore he is most furious to weaken us there) with infinite gain-sayings and temptations of our inbred infidelity, native ignorance, diffidence, wisdom of the flesh, our own sense and feeling, and a world of oppositions continually. He is driven many and many a time to the Throne of Grace with prayers, tears, and strongest wrestlings for auxiliary forces, and renewed strength. O how often doth he resort with extremest thirst, and dearest longings to all the blessed Fountains, that feed his faith; the person of CHRIST, His meritorious blood, the Promises, ⟨p. 68⟩GODS freest love, His sweetest name; the covenant of grace, all the Ordinances, those Ones of a thousand, who are able to discover both the depths of the Devil, and the mysteries of Evangelical mercy, &c.

and for all this is glad many times to say unto his GOD: Though Thou slay me, yet will I ¹trust in Thee: LORD, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief, &c. The difference then stands thus: They hold it the easiest thing of a thousand; but he finds it the hardest matter in the world, To believe.

and for all this is glad many times to say unto his GOD: Though Thou slay me, yet will I ¹trust in Thee: LORD, I believe, helpe Thou mine unbeliefe, &c. The difference then stands thus: They hold it the easiest thing of a thousand; but he finds it the hardest matter in the world, To believe.

1. 1Job 13 15. Ma•k▪ 9. 24.Iob 13 15. Ma•k▪ 9. 24.

3. Ask them, what it hath wrought upon them: and they cannot give an account of any alteration to any purpose, or sanctification at all. Imaginary Faith is but an idle Idea, a naked Notion, a mere fancy, a groundless presumption and true dream; and therefore it is not active or productive of any real effects, or true religiousness. But now saving •aith doth ever beget a blessed change in the whole man, body, soul, spirit, calling, company, convert, &• ▪ •f any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: Old things ¹are passed away, Behold all things are new. It is ever attended with those three great works of grace: 1. An universal repentance and return from all sins: from gross ones in practice and action; and from the most unavoidable infirmities at least in allowance and affection. 2. An universal sanctification in all the parts and powers of body and soul; though not in height of degree, yet without exception of parts. 3. An universal obedience to all GODS commands; ⟨p. 69⟩though not to perfection, yet in sincerity and truth: and with an heavenly train of glorious graces▪ love, hope, virtue, knowledge, temperance, ²patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, &c. And even in the lowest ebb and greatest weakness, it is ever wont to discover it self at least by poverty of spirit, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, striving against doubting, bitter complaints for want of former feelings, industrious seeking to be settled in believing, earnest and greedy longing after grace, highly prizing the LORD JESUS, and preferring Him infinitely before all the pleasures, profits and felicities of this life, resolving rather to die ten thousand deaths, than to return any more to folly; self-denial, contempt of the world, care to search out the sin that may possibly hinder comfort, and be rid of it, continual watchfulness and holy jealousy, lest we should be deceived, and faithful labouring to subdue corruption.

4. Fourthly, ask them, How they prize the object they apprehend imaginarily; for it is no better: and it is but thus: If you were able to assure them of wallowing in all worldly pleasures with constant health, and immortality upon earth: they would with all their hearts, part with all their hope of heaven hereafter: For they are yet but carnal, though self-confident. But now the divineness and excellency of spiritual delights which justifying Faith doth extract from the Objects about which it is exercised, doth so affect and ⟨p. 70⟩ravish the heart of the true Believer; that well advised, in cold blood, and out of temptation, he holds all the corporal felicities of ten thousand worlds, even world without end, in comparison of them, but as dross, and dung, and dust in the balance. Our part in the person of CHRIST, with the purchases of His dearest blood, and possession of the Deity blessed for ever by His means, do more than infinitely transcend the utmost of all earthly contentments, raised above the highest possibility, by the most inventive and strongest imagination, and to be enjoyed through a thousand eternities.

4. Fourthly, aske them, How they prize the object they apprehend imaginarily; for it is no better: and it is but thus: If you were able to assure them of wallowing in all worldly pleasures with constant health, and immortality upon earth: they would with all their hearts, part with all their hope of heaven hereafter: For they are yet but carnall, though selfe-confident. But now the divinenesse and excellency of spirituall delights which justifying Faith doth extract from the Objects about which it is exercis'd, doth so affect and ⟨p. 70⟩ravish the heart of the true Believer; that well advised, in cold bloud, and out of temptation, he holds all the corporall felicities of ten thousand worlds, even world without end, in comparison of them, but as drosse, and dung, and dust in the ballance. Our part in the person of CHRIST, with the purchases of His dearest bloud, and possession of the Deity blessed for ever by His meanes, do more than infinitely transcend the utmost of all earthly contentments, rais'd above the highest possibility, by the most inventive and strongest imagination, and to be enjoyed thorow a thousand eternities.

The second sort, which are a generation of more understanding men; stand thus for their spiritual state, and thus fearfully cozen their own souls, and come short of salvation: They assay indeed to be religious, give up their names to Profession, and would go to heaven with all their hearts, so far as the way holds, with enjoyment of temporal happiness: and therefore, they put on a form of godliness, and fair out-side; furnish themselves with an artificial habit of talking well; take part in all companies with the better side; follow and frequent Sermons with good forwardness; set up prayer and other religious exercises in their families; put themselves upon days of humiliation; leave many sins, do many things, hold an universal outward conformity to all the ordinances and divine Duties at the instance of the Ministry. And if they be of ability, countenance godly Preachers, stand for them, and entertain ⟨p. 71⟩them into their houses with much affectionateness and bounty, especially such as (perhaps) by reason of too much charity, unacquaintedness with their ways, loathness to be accounted too pragmatical and rough, or something comply with them in a false conceit of their spiritual well-being, &c. But press them further, over and besides all this, to the heart and life of religion, to the power and pith of godliness, crucifying of their corruptions, strangling their lusts, mastering their passions, parting with all sin, unfashioning them to the times, abandoning for ever their darling pleasure, denial of themselves, contempt of the world, daily walking with GOD, delight in the way of holiness, an holy keeping of the¹ LORDS day, fruitfulness in all good works, living by faith, an uncowardly opposition to the iniquities of the present, &c. which (they well know) will be necessarily accompanied with Drunkards songs, railings of the basest, discountenance from ungodly greatness, the worlds deadliest enmity, speaking against every where, &c. O then,² you strike them stark dead on the nest, as they say. These are hard speeches, very harsh, grating and ungrateful to their ears, and go to their very hearts: and therefore in such Points as these pressing more preciseness, you may as well remove a mountain of brass with your little finger, as stir them an inch.

The second sort, which are a generation of more understanding men; stand thus for their spirituall state, and thus fearefully couzen their own soules, and come short of salvation: They assay indeed to be religious, give up their names to Profession, and would go to heaven with all their hearts, so farre as the way holds, with enjoyment of temporall happinesse: and therefore, they put on a forme of godlinesse, and faire out-side; furnish themselves with an artificiall habit of talking well; take part in all companies with the better side; follow and frequent Sermons with good forwardnesse; set up prayer and other religious exercises in their families; put themselves upon daies of humiliation; leave many sinnes, do many things, hold an universall outward conformity to all the ordinances and divine Duties at the instance of the Ministry. And if they be of ability, countenance godly Preachers, stand for them, and entertaine

Say what you will, and preach out your heart, (as they say) they will no further. Thus far as they go already, shall either serve their turn for salvation, or they will ⟨p. 72⟩venture their souls with thousands that are worse than themselves. They pitch upon a safe, wise, moderate and discreet temper of religion, as they conceive and call it, and neither desire, or endeavour to go any further, or grow any better. A fair day mends them not (as they say) and a soul day pairs them not. As they are peremptorily confident, the Pearl will be had at their price; so they are constantly peremptory never to become more precise. And if it fall out sometimes, that they meet with some faithful man of GOD, who hi•s right upon their humour; discovering the insufficiency of their present spiritual state, for future happiness; and persuading them upon a necessity of salvation, to an universal resignation of themselves with unreservedness and zeal to all the world, and will and ways of GOD; they are wont to put it off thus, or in the like manner: The man is a good man, and of good parts, one whom I love well; but a little too hot, too boisterous and rough, and pinches too much upon preciseness and particularizing mens spiritual states; that is all his •ault: I must confess, I am of such a nature and disposition, that I shall be more moved with milder sermons, and calmer carriage in the Pulpit: I do not see ⟨p. 73⟩how this Ministerial severity and roughness, ^*sharpness of reproof, and such searching into, and peremptory censuring mens state to GOD-ward, doth so much good, &c.

Say what you will, and preach out your heart, (as they say) they will no further. Thus farre as they go already, shall either serve their turne for salvation, or they will ⟨p. 72⟩venture their soules with thousands that are worse than themselves. They pitch upon a safe, wise, moderate and discreet temper of religion, as they conceive and call it, and neither desire, or endeavour to go any further, or grow any better. A faire day mends them not (as they say) and a soule day paires them not. As they are peremptorily consident, the Pearle wilbe had at their price; so they are constantly peremptory never to become more precise. And if it fall out sometimes, that they meet with some faithfull man of GOD, who his right upon their humour; discovering the insufficiency of their present spirituall state, for future happinesse; and perswading them upon a necessity of salvation, to an universall resignation of themselves with unreservednesse and zeale to all the world, and will and waies of GOD; they are wont to put it off thus, or in the like manner: The man is a good man, and of good parts, one whom I love well; but a little too hot, too boisterous and rough, and pinches too much upon precisenesse and particularizing mens spirituall states; that is all his ault: I must confesse, I am of such a nature and disposition, that I shall be more mooved with milder sermons, and calmer cariage in the Pulpit: I do not see