London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…

Fourthly, There are none that do so highly prize the §4Gospel, and that set so high a value upon the Gospel, as those ⟨p. 110⟩do who have experienced the saving power of the Gospel upon their own Souls; such prefer the Gospel before all their nearest and dearest concernments and enjoyments that they ¹have in this world: As might be made evident from their practice in the primitive times, and in the Marian days, and in those late years that are now past over our heads. The Tabernacle was covered over with red (and the purple Feathers tell us, they take that habit for the same intent) to note, that we must defend the truth of the Gospel, even to the effusion of blood: and this they have made good in all the Ages of the World, who have found the saving power of the Gospel upon their own Souls. Tertullian concludes, that the Gospel must needs be a precious thing, because Nero hated it; and indeed it was so precious to the Saints▪ in his days, that they very willingly and cheerfully laid down their lives for the Gospel sake. Now the same Spirit rests upon the Saints in our days, and therefore upon this ground I cannot charge that horrid sin of slighting, scorning, and contemning of the Gospel upon them. Israel had three Crowns (as the Talmud observes) 1. of the King, 2. of the Priest, 3. of the Law; but the Crown of the Law, that was the chief of the three.

Fourthly, There are none that do so highly prize the §4Gospel, and that set so high a value upon the Gospel, as those ⟨p. 110⟩do who have experienced the saving power of the Gospel upon their own Souls; such prefer the Gospel before all their nearest and dearest concernments and enjoyments that they ¹have in this world: As might be made evident from their practice in the primitive times, and in the Marian days, and in those late years that are now past over our heads. The Tabernacle was covered over with red (and the purple Feathers tell us, they take that habit for the same intent) to note, that we must defend the truth of the Gospel, even to the effusion of blood: and this they have made good in all the Ages of the World, who have found the saving power of the Gospel upon their own Souls. Tertullian concludes, that the Gospel must needs be a precious thing, because Nero hated it; and indeed it was so precious to the Saints in his days, that they very willingly and chearfully laid down their lives for the Gospel sake. Now the same Spirit rests upon the Saints in our days, and therefore upon this ground I cannot charge that horrid sin of slighting, scorning, and contemning of the Gospel upon them. Israel had three Crowns (as the Talmud observes) 1. of the King, 2. of the Priest, 3. of the Law; but the Crown of the Law, that was the chief of the three.