Seasonable truths in evil-times in several sermons / lately preached in and about London

2 Look when a Reformation hath been intended, and cannot be accomplished, but is staid and hindered, then the Solemn Assembly lies under Reproach. Disappointment is Reproach, The Children are come to the birth, Isa. 37. and there is no strength to bring forth. What then? 'tis a day of Rebuke, and Blasphemy, and Reproach. Look therefore when a Church or People have been travelling with a Reformation, and that Reformation proves abortive, stopped and hindered, then that Church and People, or Solemn Assembly lye under Reproach. But

2 Look when a Reformation hath been intended, and cannot be accomplish'd, but is staid and hindred, then the Solemn Assembly lies under Reproach. Disappointment is Reproach, The Children are come to the birth, Isa. 37. and there is no strength to bring forth. What then? 'tis a day of Rebuke, and Blasphemy, and Reproach. Look therefore when a Church or People have been travelling with a Reformation, and that Reformation proves abortive, stopt and hindred, then that Church and People, or Solemn Assembly lye under Reproach. But

3. And especially: Look when the ways of Zion mourn, and are unfrequented, then doth the Solemn Assembly lye under Reproach, when the ways of Zion mourn and are not frequented: It was the case that this Prophet speaks of: he speaks of the Captivity of Babylon, the time of the Captivity, what then? why saith the Church in the Lamentations, the ways of Zion mourn, and are not frequented: When the ways of Zion mourn and are not frequented, the people of God are kept from coming together according unto Gods appointment; Then the Solemn Assembly lies under reproach: You ⟨p. 189⟩read in the 5th. of Joshua, that when they were come into Canaan, the first step Joshua circumcised the people, verse 9. The Lord said unto Joshua, this day have I rolled away the Reproach of Egypt from off you; wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day: The Reproach of Egypt; What were they not circumcised in Egypt? Yes, the Children of Israel were circumcised in Egypt, verse 5. Now all the people that came out were circumcised, But all the people that were born in the Wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, Them they had not circumcised. They were circumcised in Egypt: Why then is this circumcision called the reproach of Egypt? Though they were circumcised in Egypt, it was at the pleasure of the enemy, they were under bondage, they were not free to the worship of God; But now when they came here into Canaan, the first step into Canaan, and were circumcised; now they were a free people, and had liberty not only for circumcision, but for all the Ordinances, as they had not in the Land of Egypt; they could not sacrifice there, but now they had liberty for all; and now the reproach of Egypt was rolled away. So that look when the ways of Zion mourn, and re not frequented, and the People of God are kept from the public Ordinances according to Gods appointment, then the Solemn Assembly lies under Reproach.