Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

Secondly, There must be a suppression of the growth and spreading of profaneness. I shall hereafter show you a little more fully, how that sin is like some unhappy weeds, that if once they get into a ground, and be not timely dealt with, will in a little while run far and near, and overspread the whole, they do not need any encouragement, it is enough for them to be let alone. Of all Weeds this wickedness is the worst and most diffusive of itself; a profane wretch is like one that hath the plague, he is indeed a pest, or common plague in the place where he is, his very breath and touch, his discourses, and actions are infectious, he goeth up and down tainting those with whom he doth converse, who are not of healthful constitutions of Souls, and well antidoted with the fear and awe of God. And this was one reason that the Apostle Paul gives in the forementioned, Heb. 12. why he would have such special care taken to prevent the springing up of any root of bitterness, lest thereby many be defiled, [Greek or Hebrew], polluted, bespattered, made as filthy and nasty as the beasts themselves. If such a root of bitterness be suffered to spring up, many will be troubled at it, and many will be defiled by it. It is the design and delight of wicked men to make others as bad as themselves, and to draw both Acquaintance and Strangers to cast in their lot among them, and to walk hand in-hand with them in their crooked ways that lead down to the ⟨p. 340⟩Chambers of Death. Oh that the Saints and People of God were as desirous and industrious for the promoting of true Piety, as the Emissaries of Hell are for the propagating of profaneness! Oh that they would be as diligent to persuade men and women into the Faith and Obedience of the Gospel, as these are to make devilish Proselytes! In a Word, that they would take as much care and pains for the carrying others along with them to Heaven, as these are to allure and hurry others to Hell. But to our shame be it spoken, we are too dull, heavy and unactive, we are greatly out-done by them; we are not a quarter so zealous for the rescuing of poor Sinners out of the clutches of the destroyer, as they are for the bringing them under his power.

Secondly, There must be a suppression of the growth and spreading of prophaneness. I shall hereafter shew you a little more fully, how that sin is like some unhappy weeds, that if once they get into a ground, and be not timely dealt with, will in a little while run far and near, and overspread the whole, they do not need any encouragement, it is enough for them to be let alone. Of all Weeds this wickedness is the worst and most diffusive of itself; a prophane wretch is like one that hath the plague, he is indeed a pest, or common plague in the place where he is, his very breath and touch, his discourses, and actions are infectious, he goeth up and down tainting those with whom he doth converse, who are not of healthful constitutions of Souls, and well antidoted with the fear and awe of God. And this was one reason that the Apostle Paul gives in the forementioned,