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

9. Moreover, do you think that he is an Honest man that is an enemy to the public Good? or rather he that is a common benefactor? The best of the Heathens thought it one of the highest parts of virtue, to be serviceable to many, and devote our selves to the common good. But wicked men are the very plagues of a land. For their sakes it is that judgements come upon us. It is they that would let in the plague of sin which would undo us. He that sets fire to the thatch, doth do no worse against your towns, then wicked men that would kindle the fire of the wrath of God by their crying sins. Read the Scriptures and ⟨p. 215⟩see who it was that caused Israel to perish in the wilderness, but unbelieving sinners. Who troubled Israel, and made them fly before their enemies, but one Achan? Josh. 7. And what but sin was the cause of their captivity, and present desolation? was it Lot or the Sodomites that brought down from heaven the fire of vengeance? Was it Noah or the world of the ungodly that brought down the flood? Are these Honest men that provoke God to forsake the Land, and are the vermin and destroyers of our peace and happiness? But you know that God hath promised his blessing to the Godly, and to the places where they live ofttimes for their sakes, as Josephs case and others tell us.

9. Moreover, do you think that he is an Honest man that is an enemy to the publike Good? or rather he that is a common benefactor? The best of the Heathens thought it one of the highest parts of virtue, to be serviceable to many, and devote our selves to the common good. But wicked men are the very plagues of a land. For their sakes it is that judgements come upon us. It is they that would let in the plague of sin which would undoe us. He that sets fire to the thatch, doth do no worse against your towns, then wicked men that would kindle the fire of the wrath of God by their crying sins. Read the Scriptures and ⟨p. 215⟩see who it was that caused Israel to perish in the wilderness, but unbelieving sinners. Who troubled Israel, and made them fly before their enemies, but one Achan? Josh. 7. And what but sin was the cause of their captivity, and present desolation? was it Lot or the Sodomites that brought down from heaven the fire of vengeance? Was it Noah or the world of the ungodly that brought down the flood? Are these Honest men that provoke God to forsake the Land, and are the vermine and destroyers of our peace and happiness? But you know that God hath promised his blessing to the Godly, and to the places where they live ofttimes for their sakes, as Josephs case and others tell us.