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

Object. O but (saith the ungodly crew) it was never a good world since there was so much Religion, and preaching, and preciseness, and so much ado about serving God! It was a better world, when we had but a short Service read on Sundays, and played, and merrily talked together the rest of the day! There was more Love and good neighbourhood then amongst men then there is now: There was not then so much deceit, and cozening, and oppressing, and covetousness in the world: There was more peace, and plenty, and a better world it was then now.

Object. O but (saith the ungodly crew) it was never a good world since there was so much Religion, and preaching, and preciseness, and so much ado about serving God! It was a better world, when we had but a short Service read on Sundaies, and played, and merrily talkt together the rest of the day! There was more Love and good neighbourhood then amongst men then there is now: There was not then so much deceit, and consening, and oppressing, and covetousness in the world: There was more peace, and plenty, and a better world it was then now.

Matters of peace and plenty change often in the same age. And certainly you have as little hinderance now, from being as good as you have a mind to be, as ever your fore-fathers had. Two things I have to say to your Objection.

1. If this be true that the world is so bad, which part is it of the world that you mean? Is it all, or some? Not all sure; that were too horrible censoriousness to say. Then God would presently ⟨p. 182⟩destroy the world. Sodom had one Lot, and his family in it Well? it is but some then that are so bad. And which part is it? Is it the Godly, or the Ungodly? If Godliness be naught, then Heaven is naught, where there is nothing else; And then take it not ill to be shut out? If it be the Ungodly that are naught, that's it that I am saying. It is time then to leave it, and to turn to God. Is it not you your selves that make the complaint that are the men that make the world so bad? Is is not you that are so Covetous and worldly that you have nothing for the poor, and no time to spare for the work that you were made for? nor scarce any room, to think or speak of the life to come? Is it not you that have so little Charity that you even hate men for Loving and serving God, and seeking diligently to save their souls? Its true, that there was never greater wickedness in the world then since there hath been so much Preaching. But What is that wickedness, and in whom? It is the despising and disobeying the calls of God; and the hating and neglecting of a holy life. Those that are saved by the Gospel, may say that it was a happy message unto them: but those that slight it, and wilfully sin in the openest light, may well say that it is a bad world with them: and worse it is, and will be for ever, if they be not converted, then if they had never heard the Gospel: It is you, and such as you that despise the mercies of the Lord, that make it a bad world; and then you impudently complain of it, and charge it on them that will not be as bad as your selves: and take away the candle and shut the windows, that the light may not trouble you.