Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

At this time how universal is mens complaint against their Governors! how common are the cries of the poor and sufferers, of the greatness of their burdens, miseries and wants. But how few lament the sins against Government, which this Land hath been sadly guilty of? The Pastors complain of the Peoples contempt: The People complain of the Pastors insufficiency and lives: The Master complaineth how hard it is to get good Servants, that will mind their business and profit, as if it were their own: Servants complain of their Masters for over-labouring them, or using them too hardly. Landlords say that their Tenants cheat them: And Tenants say, that their Landlords oppress and grind them. But if you were Christians indeed, the commonest and saddest complaints would be against your selves: I am not so good a Ruler, so peaceable a Subject, so good a Landlord, so good a Tenant, so good a ⟨p. 87⟩Master, so good a Servant, as I ought to be Your Rulers sin, your Subjects sin, your Landlords sin, your Tenants sin, your Masters sin, your Servants sin, shall not be charged upon you in Judgement, nor condemn you, but your own sin. How much more therefore should you fear and feel, and complain of your own, than of theirs.

At this time how universal is mens complaint against their Governors! how common are the cryes of the poor and sufferers, of the greatness of their burdens, miseries and wants. But how few lament the sins against Government, which this Land hath been sadly guilty of? The Pastors complain of the Peoples contempt: The People complain of the Pastors insufficiency and lives: The Master complaineth how hard it is to get good Servants, that will mind their business and profit, as if it were their own: Servants complain of their Masters for over-labouring them, or using them too hardly. Landlords say that their Tenants cheat them: And Tenants say, that their Landlords oppress and grind them. But if you were Christians indeed, the commonest and saddest complaints would be against your selves: I am not so good a Ruler, so peaceable a Subject, so good a Landlord, so good a Tenant, so good a ⟨p. 87⟩Master, so good a Servant, as I ought to be Your Rulers sin, your Subjects sin, your Landlords sin, your Tenants sin, your Masters sin, your Servants sin, shall not be charged upon you in Judgement, nor condemn you, but your own sin. How much more therefore should you fear and feel, and complain of your own, than of theirs.