Every one will confess, that the true spirit of Christianity is agreeable to what I say. And yet how contrary is the practise of no small number of the Religious? In all companies how forward are they to talk of the sins of Princes and Parliaments? of Courtiers and Nobility, and Gentry? especially of Ministers; And not only of the scandalous that are guilty indeed, but of the innocent that are not of their way; whose faults they rather make than find? But how seldom do you hear them tell any how bad they are themselves? (unless it be in formality to seem humble persons) yea, how impatient are they with any other that find fault with them? It would be much more acceptable to God and wise men, to hear you talk of your own infirmities, than of the Rulers or Ministers, or Neighbours? The one is a work of Repentance; and the other of detraction and backbiting. The one is a work which you are commanded by God (to judge your selves, and confess your faults one to another:) But the other is a work which you have seldomer a call ⟨p. 236⟩from God to do. One rendeth to your pardon; the other to your guilt: Therefore if you fall into the company of backbiters, that are dishonouring their Rulers or their Pastors, or telling how bad their neighbours are; labour to purify these stinking waters, or turn the stream: say to them, [O friends how bad are we our selves! what pride is in our hearts! what ignorance in our minds! so wanting are we even in the lowest grace, Humility, that we have scarce enough to make us take patiently, such censures as now we are giving out upon others? so selfish as dishonoureth our profession with the brand of contractedness, and partiality; so weak that all our duties are liable to greater censures than we can bear: And our inward graces weaker than our outward duties. Of such ungoverned thoughts, that confusion and tumult instead of order, and fruitful improvement, are the daily temper and employment of our imaginations: so passionate, impatient, and corrupt, that we are a trouble to our selves and others, and a dishonour to the Gospel, and a hinderance to the conversion of those whom our holy exemplary lives should win to God: so strange to Heaven, as if we had never well believed it: And to say all in one, so empty of Love to our dear Redeemer and the God of Love, that our Hearts lie vacant to entertain the love of worldly vanities;
Every one will confess, that the true spirit of Christianity is agreeable to what I say. And yet how contrary is the practise of no small number of the Religious? In all companies how forward are they to talk of the sins of Princes and Parliaments? of Courtiers and Nobility, and Gentry? especially of Ministers; And not only of the scandalous that are guilty indeed, but of the innocent that are not of their way; whose faults they rather make than find? But how seldome do you hear them tell any how bad they are themselves? (unless it be in formality to seem humble persons) yea, how impatient are they with any other that find fault with them? It would be much more acceptable to God and wise men, to hear you talk of your own infirmities, than of the Rulers or Ministers, or Neighbours? The one is a work of Repentance; and the other of detraction and backbiting. The one is a work which you are commanded by God (to judge your selves, and confess your faults one to another:) But the other is a work which you have seldomer a call ⟨p. 236⟩from God to do. One rendeth to your pardon; the other to your guilt: Therefore if you fall into the company of backbiters, that are dishonouring their Rulers or their Pastors, or telling how bad their neighbours are; labour to purifie these stinking waters, or turn the stream: say to them, [O friends how bad are we our selves! what pride is in our hearts! what ignorance in our minds! so wanting are we even in the lowest grace, Humility, that we have scarce enough to make us take patiently, such censures as now we are giving out upon others? so selfish as dishonoureth our profession with the brand of contractedness, and partiality; so weak that all our duties are liable to greater censures than we can bear: And our inward graces weaker than our outward duties. Of such ungoverned thoughts, that confusion and tumult instead of order, and fruitful improvement, are the dayly temper and employment of our imaginations: so passionate, impatient, and corrupt, that we are a trouble to our selves and others, and a dishonour to the Gospel, and a hinderance to the conversion of those whom our holy exemplary lives should win to God: so strange to Heaven, as if we had never well believed it: And to say all in one, so empty of Love to our dear Redeemer and the God of Love, that our Hearts lie vacant to entertain the love of worldly vanities;
