A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

You find Ahab and Elijah at this contest. Ahab takes him for the Troubler of Israel when a heavy famine was among them: Elijah saith, No; but it was Ahab and his Fathers house that had troubled Israel• by their wickedness, 1 Kings 18. 17, 18. And which think you was in the right, the Prophet or the King?

Why Sirs, What is it that Godliness doth, that it should be taken for the Troubler of the world, when ungodliness is taken for your peace? Is it our persuading or hindering you from sin ⟨p. 181⟩that troubleth you? And will not the everlasting fruit of it trouble you more? Then even say, that washing you, or sweeping your houses, or curing your sores, or sickness, or persuading you not to kill your selves, is a troubling of you! Or is it, (as the Lord hath told us it will be, Matth. 5. 10, 11. John 15. 18, 19. 1 Pet. 4. 4, 5.) because we are not such as you, and will not do as you do, and be of your opinion, and forsake our Lord to keep you company? Is it not with good reason? When we know you cannot save us harmless: and will not answer for us before the Lord? We know that every man must answer for himself, and therefore we durst not trust you, if you would promise us to bring us off: It is best for you to study better how to answer for your selves. But if you are resolved on it, that ungodly you will be, and that you will venture on Hell to scape a holy life, why should not you give us leave to pity you, and to forbear your folly, and to save our selves? Will it do you any harm that others should be saved? Or that others should be Godly? Your own sanctification indeed cannot stand with your lusts and fleshly pleasures: but another mans may. It will take none of your vain-glory, or wealth, or sensual delights from you, that another man is sanctified, or devoted unto God. And therefore be not angry with us, if we obey the Holy Ghost, that calleth to us,