Two sermons preached at Northampton at two several assizes there The one in the…Two sermons preached at Northampton at two severall assises there The one in the…

Now, whether do you think, were it more happy, and comfortable living under that Minister, Magistrate, or man of Authority whatsoever, who thus acquaints himself with GOD, and walks with him as with his friend, or under that fellow who is an alien, and mere stranger to any such precise mystery and might of prayer, who never thought with comfort of coming to this place, it being empoisoned unto him, (as he knows full-well himself, though he tell no body,) with baseness or indirection, never aimed so much in the discharge of it, at GODs glory, and the good of his people, as at his own particular; his rising, enriching or revenging; is so far from discharging Samuel's duty, in constant praying for those committed to his charge, that he prays not even in his own family constantly, not in private to any purpose, was never feelingly humbled for his own sins, or the abominations ⟨p. 49⟩of the Kingdom in any day of humiliation. Give me an Angel upon earth, and an incarnate Devil, a fair cool shadow under a goodly tree, in a sweltering heat, and a scurvy thorny-bush, to which the poor sheep never flies for succour in a storm, but looseth some of her fleece, a shower of rain in a great drought upon the new Moon-grass, and the scorching Sun upon a dry parched heath, an Obadiah, and a Shebna, GODs darling, and the Devils drudge, and you have made the difference.

Now, whether doe you thinke, were it more happy, and comfortable living under that Minister, Magistrate, or man of Authority whatsoever, who thus acquaints himselfe with GOD, and walks with him as with his friend, or under that fellow who is an alient, and meere stranger to any such precise mystery and might of prayer, who never thought with comfort of comming to this place, it being empoysoned unto him, (as he knowes full-well himselfe, though he tell no body,) with basenesse or indirection, never aimed so much in the discharge of it, at GODs glory, and the good of his people, as at his owne particular; his rising, enriching or revenging; is so far from discharging Samuels duty, in constant praying for those commited to his charge, that he prayes not even in his owne family constantly, not in private to any purpose, was never feelingly humbled for his owne sinnes, or the abominations ⟨p. 49⟩of the Kingdome in any day of humiliation. Give me an Angell upon earth, and an incarnate Devill, a faire coole shaddow under a goodly tree, in a sweltring heate, and a scurvy thorny-bush, to which the poore sheepe never flies for succour in a storme, but looseth some of her fleece, a showre of raine in a great drought upon the new Moone-grasse, and the scorching Sunne upon a dry parched heath, an Obadiah, and a Shebna, GODs dearling, and the Devils drudge, and you have made the difference.