And if we try the Graces, or obedience of Professors, alas, how small shall we find them in the most? How little are most acquainted with the life of Faith? How little do they admire the Redeemer and his blessed work? How unacquainted are they with the daily use and high improvement of a Saviour; for access to God, and supportation, and corroboration of the Soul, and for conveyance of daily supplies of Grace, and help against our spiritual enemies? How few are they that can rejoice in tribulation, persecution and bodily distresses, because of the hopes laid up in Heaven? and that can live upon a Promise, and comfortably wait on God for the accomplishment? How few that live as men that are content with God alone, and can cheerfully leave their flesh, and credit, and worldly estate to his disposal, and be content to want or suffer when he sees it good for them? What repinings and troubles possess our minds if the flesh be not provided for, and if God do but cross us in these worldly things; as if we had made our bargain with him for the flesh, and for this World, and had not taken him alone for our portion? How few can use prosperity in ⟨p. 57⟩riches and health and reputation, with a mortified, weaned, heavenly mind? Nay how few are there that do not live much to the pleasure of the Flesh, and pamper it as indulgently under the appearance of temperance and Religion, as others do in grosser ways? Do but try the godly themselves by plain and faithful reproof of their corruptions, and see how many of them you will find, that will not excuse them and take part with the enemy, and be offended with you for your close reproof. If any of them be overtaken with a scandalous fault, and the Pastors of the Church shall call them to open Confession, and expression of Repentance, though you would little think a penitent man should once stick at this, and refuse to do any thing that he can do, to repair the honour of God and his Profession, and to save the Souls of others whom he hath endangered, yet how many will you find that will add a wilful obstinacy to their scandal, and will deliberately refuse so great and clear and necessary a duty:
And if we try the Graces, or obedience of Professors, alas, how small shall we find them in the most? How little are most acquainted with the life of Faith? How little do they admire the Redeemer and his blessed work? How unacquainted are they with the daily use and high improvement of a Saviour; for access to God, and supportation, and corroboration of the Soul, and for conveyance of daily supplies of Grace, and help against our spiritual enemies? How few are they that can rejoyce in tribulation, persecution and bodily distresses, because of the hopes laid up in Heaven? and that can live upon a Promise, and comfortably wait on God for the accomplishment? How few that live as men that are content with God alone, and can cheerfully leave their flesh, and credit, and worldly estate to his disposal, and be content to want or suffer when he sees it good for them? What repinings and troubles possess our minds if the flesh be not provided for, and if God do but cross us in these worldly things; as if we had made our bargain with him for the flesh, and for this World, and had not taken him alone for our portion? How few can use prosperity in ⟨p. 57⟩riches and health and reputation, with a mortified, weaned, heavenly mind? Nay how few are there that do not live much to the pleasure of the Flesh, and pamper it as indulgently under the appearance of temperance and Religion, as others do in grosser wayes? Do but try the godly themselves by plain and faithful reproof of their corruptions, and see how many of them you will find, that will not excuse them and take part with the enemy, and be offended with you for your close reproof. If any of them be overtaken with a scandalous fault, and the Pastors of the Church shall call them to open Confession, and expression of Repentance, though you would little think a penitent man should once stick at this, and refuse to do any thing that he can do, to repair the honour of God and his Profession, and to save the Souls of others whom he hath endangered, yet how many will you find that will add a wilful obstinacy to their scandal, and will deliberately refuse so great and clear and necessary a duty:
