The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

One wo•• […] thought it next to an impossibili•• […] such men, and so many of they, […] ever have been drawn to do that against the Church, against that Gospel-Ministry, and Ordinances of God (which once seemed ⟨image 15⟩dearer to them then their lives) which hath since been done, and which yet we fear! But a believing eye can discern the reason of this sad providence (in part:) Never men were more Idolized: and therefore no wonder if we were never so afflicted by any. Alas, when will we learn by Scripture and Providence so to know God and the Creature, as to look for More from him, and less from them! We have looked for Wonders from Scotland, and what is come of it? We looked that War should have even satisfied our desires, and when it had removed all visible Impediments, we thought we should have had such a glorious Reformation as the World never knew! And now behold, a Babel, and a mangled Deformation! What high Expectations had we from an Assembly! what Expectations from a Parliament! and where are they now! O hear the Word of the Lord, ye low-spirited People! [Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isa. 2.22.] [Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, ⟨image 16⟩and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord: For he shall be like the Heath in the Desert, and shall not see when Good cometh. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is: For he shall be as a Tree planted by the Waters, &c. Jer. 17.5, 6, 7, 8.] [Surely men of Low degree are Vanity, and men of High degree are a Lye: to be laid in the balance they are altogether lighter then Vanity, Psal. 62.9.] Let me warn you all, Christians, for the time to come, Take the Creature as a Creature: remember its frailty: look for no more from it then its part: If you have the nearest, dearest, godly friends, expect to feel the sting of their Corruptions, as well as to taste the sweetness of their Grace: And they must expect the like from you.