I Suppose you do not only remember, that ten Years ago I Preached these Sermons to you; but also what Schisms, what revilings of the Ministers of Christ, what Heresies of Ranters, Seekers, and others; what cruelties against one another, and what remorseless overturnings of Government; and worst of all, what bold appeals to God himself, as if he were the approver of all this, did give you and me extraordinary occasions of such thoughts and lamentations as are here expressed! But though the great mercy of God did preserve your selves from these transgressions, and made it your lot to behold them with daily complaints and sorrows; yet I must not so flatter you as to say, that the ordinary weaknesses of Christians are not at all among you. The things which I specially loved in you, I will freely praise, which were [A special measure of humility, a plain simplicity ⟨image 3⟩in Religion, a freedom from the common Errors, a readiness to receive the Truth, a Catholic temper, without addictedness to any Sect; a freedom from Schism, and separating ways; and a unity and unanimity in Religion; a hatred and disowning of the Usurpations and perturbations, and Rebellions against the Civil Government; and an open bearing of your testimony in all these cases; together with seriousness in Religion, and sober, righteous, charitable and godly conversations:] But yet with all this, which is truly amiable, I know you have your frailties and imperfections. The weaker sort of Christians (either in knowledge, or in holiness) are the greater number in the best Congregation that I ever yet knew. (To say nothing of the unsound) And what may be your Case these eight years since I have been separated from your presence, I cannot tell, (though, through the mercy of God, I hear not of your declining.) It is our sin which hath parted us asunder, Let us lay the blame upon our selves! I have now done expecting my ancient comforts in labouring among you any more: For these six years time, in which I thought my greater experience, had made me more capable, of serving my Master better than before, his Wisdom and Justice, have caused me to spend in grievous silence: And now my decays and disability of body are so much increased, that if I ⟨image 3⟩had leave, I have not strength, nor can ever reasonably expect it;
I Suppose you do not only remember, that ten Years ago I Preached these Sermons to you; but also what Schisms, what revilings of the Ministers of Christ, what Heresies of Ranters, Seekers, and others; what cruelties against one another, and what remorsless overturnings of Government; and worst of all, what bold appeals to God himself, as if he were the approver of all this, did give you and me extraordinary occasions of such thoughts and lamentations as are here expressed! But though the great mercy of God did preserve your selves from these transgressions, and made it your los to behold them with daily complaints and sorrows; yet I must not so flatter you as to say, that the ordinary weaknesses of Christians are not at all among you. The things which I specially loved in you, I will freely praise, which were [A special measure of humility, a plain simplicity ⟨image 3⟩in Religion, a freedom from the common Errors, a readiness to receive the Truth, a Catholick temper, without addictedness to any Sect; a freedom from Schisme, and separating wayes; and a unity and unanimity in Religion; a hatred and disowning of the Usurpations and perturbations, and Rebellions against the Civil Government; and an open bearing of your testimony in all these cases; together with seriousness in Religion, and sober, righteous, charitable and godly conversations:] But yet with all this, which is truly amiable, I know you have your frailties and imperfections. The weaker sort of Christians (either in knowledg, or in holiness) are the greater number in the best Congregation that I ever yet knew. (To say nothing of the unsound) And what may be your Case these eight years since I have been separated from your presence, I cannot tell, (though, through the mercy of God, I hear not of your declining.) It is our sin which hath parted us asunder, Let us lay the blame upon our selves! I have now done expecting my ancient comforts in labouring among you any more: For these six years time, in which I thought my greater experience, had made me more capable, of serving my Master better than before, his Wisdom and Justice, have caused me to spend in grievous silence: And now my decayes and disability of body are so much increased, that if I ⟨image 3⟩had leave, I have not strength, nor can ever reasonably expect it;
