And if this be so (as undeniably it is so) is there any cloak for that mans sin, who is all day taken up with creatures, and thinks of God as seldom and as carelessly as if he had no business with him? And yet, alas, if you take a survey of high and low, of Court, and City, and Country, you shall find that this is the case of no small number, yea of many that observe it not to be their case; it is the case of the profane that pray in jest, and swear, and curse, and rail in earnest. It is the case of the malignant enemies of holiness, that hate them at the heart that are most acquainted with this converse with God, and count it but hypocrisy, pride or fancy, and would not suffer them to live upon the Earth, who are most sincerely conversant in Heaven. It is the case of Pharisees and Hypocrites, who take up with ceremonious observances, as touch not, taste not, handle not, and such like traditions of their forefathers, instead of a spiritual rational service, and a holy serious walking with the Lord. It is the case of all ambitious men, and covetous worldlings, who make more ado to climb up a little higher than their brethren, and to hold the reins, and have their wills, and be admired and adored in the world, or to get a large estate for themselves and their posterity, than to please their Maker, or to save their souls: It is the case of every sensual Epicure, whose belly is his God, and serveth his fancy, lust and appetite before the Lord. It is the case of every unsanctified man, that seeketh first the prosperity of his flesh, before the Kingdom and Righteousness of God, and is most careful and laborious to lay up a treasure on Earth, and laboureth more (with the greater estimation, resolution and delight) for the meat that perisheth, than for that which endureth to everlasting life. All these (who are too great a part ⟨p. 204⟩of the world, and too great a part of professed Christians) are taken up with creature converse; and yet think to scape the deluge of Gods displeasure, because the Henochs and Noah's are so few who walk with God; and they think God will not destroy so many: And thus they think to be saved by their multitude, and to hide themselves in the crowd from God: They will go the wide and common path, and be of the mind that most are of: They will not be convinced till most men are convinced;
And if this be so (as undeniably it is so) is there any cloak for that mans sin, who is all day taken up with creatures, and thinks of God as seldome and as carelesly as if he had no business with him? And yet, alas, if you take a survey of high and low, of Court, and City, and Country, you shall find that this is the case of no small number, yea of many that observe it not to be their case; it is the case of the prophane that pray in jeast, and swear, and curse, and rail in earnest. It is the case of the malignant enemies of holiness, that hate them at the heart that are most acquainted with this converse with God, and count it but hypocrisie, pride or fancy, and would not suffer them to live upon the Earth, who are most sincerely conversant in Heaven. It is the case of Pharise•s and Hypocrites, who take up with ceremonious observances, as touch not, taste not, handle not, and such like traditions of their forefathers, instead of a spiritual rational service, and a holy serious walking with the Lord. It is the case of all ambitious men, and covetous worldlings, who make more ado to climb up a little higher than their brethren, and to hold the reins, and have their wills, and be admired and adored in the world, or to get a large estate for themselves and their posterity, than to please their Maker, or to save their souls: It is the case of every sensual Epicure, whose belly is his God, and serveth his fancy, lust and appetite before the Lord. It is the case of every unsanctified man, that seeketh first the prosperity of his flesh, before the Kingdom and Righteousness of God, and is most careful and laborious to lay up a treasure on Earth, and laboureth more (with the greater estimation, resolution and delight) for the meat that perisheth, than for that which endureth to everlasting life. All these (who are too great a part ⟨p. 204⟩of the world, and too great a part of professed Christians) are taken up with creature converse; and yet think to scape the deludge of Gods displeasure, because the Henochs and Noahs are so few who walk with God; and they think God will not destroy so many: And thus they think to be saved by their multitude, and to hide themselves in the croud from God: They will go the wide and common path, and be of the mind that most are of: They will not be convinced till most men are convinced;
