A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

And hath not the Temptation of the times overtaken many that have formerly made great profession, and drawn them to many unworthy compliances for secular advantages, and who have thereby laid up matter to themselves for future repentance and sorrow? and are become to others objects of sorrow also. As the Apostle blames the Corinthians about the incestuous person, why have ye not rather mourned, 1 Cor. 5.3. and was it not to have been wished that all that fear God in the Nation should have been better united by this time both in Principles and practice, that we might no longer defame and persecute one another until the Net be thrown over us all, and it be then too late to relieve our selves, though not to repent. When many are at work to let in Popery as a torrent upon us, we should sure endeavour to stern the Tide both by fasting and praying unto God, and unity amongst our selves.

And hath not the Temptation of the times overtaken many that have formerly made great profession, and drawn them to many unworthy compliances for secular advantages, and vvho have thereby laid up matter to themselves for future repentance and sorrow? and are become to others objects of sorrow also. As the Apostle blames the Corinthians about the incestuous person, why have ye not rather mourned, 1 Cor. 5.3. and vvas it not to have been wished that all that fear God in the Nation should have been better united by this time both in Principles and practice, that vve might no longer defame and persecute one another untill the Net be thrown over us all, and it be then too late to relieve our selves, though not to repent. When many are at vvork to let in Popery as a torrent upon us, vve should sure endeavour to stern the Tide both by fasting and praying unto God, and unity amongst our selves.

2. Is the distress of the Church of God an occasion for it? Look abroad, and look at home, and you may behold such a sad face upon it, that may reflect sadness upon all your hearts, where hath God a people, especially in these European parts of the world, but there is a distress upon them? whether ye look into France, Germany, upper or lower Hungaria, Silesia, Polonia, &c. And doth not all this make fasting a duty in season; when Nehemiah heard from certain that came from Judah, that the Remnant left of the Captivity were in great affliction and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, &c. he sate down, mourned, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,