2. The evil example of great Persons. The practice of whose profane lives they prefer for their imitation, before the Precepts of God's holy Word. So that when they see the greatest Men in the State, and many chief Gentlemen in their Country, to make neither care nor Conscience to hear Sermons, to receive the Communion, nor to sanctify the Lord's Sabbath, &c. but to be Swearers, Adulterers, Carousers, Oppressors, &c. Then they think that the using of these holy Ordinances, are not matters of so great moment; for if they were, such great and ⟨p. 119⟩wise Men would not set so little by them. Hereupon they think, that Religion is not a matter of necessity. And therefore where they should (like Christians) row against the stream of impiety towards Heaven, they suffer themselves to be carried with the multitude down right into Hell, thinking it impossible that God will suffer so many to be damned: Whereas, if the good of this world had not blinded the eyes of their minds, the Holy Scriptures would teach them, thata Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, &c. but that for the most part theb poor receive the Gospel; and that cfew rich men shall be saved. And that howsoever many are called, yet the chosen are but few. dNeither did the multitude ever save any from damnation. As God hath advanced men in greatness above others, so doth God expect, that they in Religion and Piety should go before others; otherwise greatness abused (in the time of their Stewardship) shall turn to their greater condemnation in the day of their accounts. 5At what time sinful great and mighty men, as well as the poorest slaves and bond-men, shall wish,6 that the Rocks and Mountains may fall upon them, and hide them from the presence of the Judge, and from his just deserved wrath. It will prove but a miserable solace, to have a great company of great Men partakers with thee, of thine eternal torments. The multitude of sinners, doth not extenuate, but aggravate sin, ⟨p. 120⟩as in Sodom. Better it is therefore with a few to be saved in the Ark, than with the whole world to be drowned in the flood. Walk with the few godly in the Scriptures narrow path to Heaven; but crowd not with the godless multitude, 7in the broad way to Hell. 8Let not the examples of irreligious great men hinder thy repentance;
2. The evil example of great Persons. The practice of whose prophane lives they preferr for their imitation, before the Precepts of God's holy Word. So that when they see the greatest Men in the State, and many chief Gentlemen in their Country, to make neither care nor Conscience to hear Sermons, to receive the Communion, nor to sanctifie the Lord's Sabbath, &c. but to be Swearers, Adulterers, Carousers, Oppressors, &c. Then they think that the using of these holy Ordinances, are not matters of so great moment; for if they were, such great and ⟨p. 119⟩wise Men would not set so little by them. Hereupon they think, that Religion is not a matter of necessity. And therefore where they should (like Christians) row against the stream of impiety towards Heaven, they suffer themselves to be carried with the multitude down right into Hell, thinking it impossi•le that God will suffer so many to be damned: Whereas, if the good of this world had not blinded the eyes of their minds, the Holy Scriptures would teach them, thata Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, &c. but that for the most part theb poor receive the Gospel; and that cfew rich men shall be saved. And that howsoever many are called, yet the chosen are but few. dNeither did the multitude ever save any from damnation. As God hath advanced men in greatness above others, so doth God expect, that they in Religion and Piety should go before others; otherwise greatness abused (in the time of their Stewardship) shall turn to their greater condemnation in the day of their accounts. 5At what time sinful great and mighty men, as well as the poorest slaves and bond-men, shall wish,6 that the Rocks and Mountains may fall upon them, and hide them from the presence of the Judge, and from his just deserved wrath. It will prove but a miserable solace, to have a great company of great Men partakers with thee, of thine eternal torments. The multitude of sinners, doth not extenuate, but aggravate sin, ⟨p. 120⟩
- a1 Cor. 1. 26.
- bMat. 11. 5.
- cMat 19. 23, 24.
- dMat. 22. 14.
- 5Potentes. potenter cruciabuntur. Sap.
- 6Rev. 6. 15, 16, &c.
- 7Mat. 7. 15.
- 8Exod. 23. 2.
