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

This is the next point in our faith, to the Believing that there is a God. And yet among us that called our selves Christians, the Diligent seeking of the Lord was so far from being thus esteemed of, that it was the surest way to make a man contemptible and odious unto many. The jealous God did long endure this horrible indignity, but would not still endure it from us. Must he make a Holy Law for the Government of the world, and shall the obeying of it be derided? Is he our Sovereign Lord, having by Creation and Redemption the right of Ruling us, and shall we scorn them that will be Ruled by him? Those that will not have Christ rule over them, will surely be destroyed, Luk. 19. 27. and shall those escape that scorn his service? Holiness is the Image of God, and unholiness the Devils image: And when the Image of God is made a scorn, and the Devils image had in honour, and that by them that call themselves Christians, was it not time for God to arise to judgement? Was it not enough that God was slighted by them, and his service turned out of doors, but it must be made a by-word? Is there but one way Pleasing unto God, and but one way that leadeth to salvation, and must that one way be the common scorn? For these things God had a controversy with this land; and he hath pleaded his cause with fire and sword, and spoke by a voice that will not be derided: he hash entered into judgement with Priests and people: He will not always support and maintain a people to deride him. Oh England, hadst thou none to make the foot-ball of thy scorn, but the servants of the most High God? Did he not tell thee that they were his Jewels, Mal. 3. 1. and that he that touched them did touch the apple of his eye? Zech. 2 8. Will he give his son for them, and will he Glorify them with himself, and make them equal to the Angels, Luk. 20. 36. and didst thou think he would give thee leave to make them the scorn and off-scouring of the world? Hadst thou none to make the football of thy contemptuous sport, but the sons of God, the spouse of Christ, yea his members, and the heirs of heaven? Oh foolish nation, hadst thou none to deride and make thy by-word but Christ himself? Yea, it was Christ himself, though thou wilt not believe ⟨p. 234⟩