First, Some upon the evils they see and feel in them, think it was better with us heretofore, and wish we had those times again; Just like the murmuring Israelites, as soon as they were put to any straits, they wished they were in Egypt again; it was better with us then, say they. Yea Num. 16. 13. out of discontent with their present condition, they commend the Land of Egypt, wherein they were Bond-slaves, to be a Land that flowed with milk and honey, murmuring at Moses that brought them out of such a Land. The Land of Canaan that God promised to carry them to, was a Land that flowed with milk and honey, but out of the perverseness of their spirits they despised that Land, and Egypt now in this froward humour of theirs, must be the Land that flowed with milk and honey. Oh the perverseness of mens hearts! if they be but a little crossed, how hard is it for God or man to please them! how unworthy are such froward spirits as these, to live in such a time as this, to see the ⟨p. 227⟩great work of God that he hath done for his people. It is true, heretofore men seemed to be more united then now, there appears more differences in mens opinions and ways then formerly; but whence was it that men formerly were not at such a distance? was it not because they were chained together? two prisoners chained to a block keep together all day long; men that are at liberty walk in the streets at a distance; if the prisoners should commend their life as more comfortable then yours, because they keep closer together all the day then you do, would you envy their happiness? time hath been that a tyrannical chain hath been upon us, we dared not then discuss any matters of difference with freedom; if a Convocation determined it, there was a chain upon us to fasten us to it; now God hath given us more liberty to debate things freely, that we may find out the truth more clearly; and though men while they are in their debates be at some distance one from another, do not say it was better with us heretofore then it is now, thou dost not speak wisely concerning this thing.
First, Some upon the evills they see and feel in them, think it was better with us heretofore, and wish we had those times againe; Just like the murmuring Israelites, as soon as they were put to any straits, they wished they were in Egypt again; it was better with us then, say they. Yea Num. 16. 13. out of discontent with their present condition, they commend the Land of Egypt, wherein they were Bond-slaves, to be a Land that flowed with milk and hony, murmuring at Moses that brought them out of such a Land. The Land of Canaan that God promised to carry them to, was a Land that flowed with milke and honey, but out of the perversnesse of their spirits they despised that Land, and Egypt now in this froward humour of theirs, must be the Land that flowed with milke and honey. Oh the perversenss of mens hearts! if they be but a little crossed, how hard is it for God or man to please them! how unworthy are such froward spir•ts as these, to live in such a time as this, to see the ⟨p. 227⟩great work of God that he hath done for his people. It is true, heretofore men seemed to be more united then now, there appears more differences in mens opinions and wayes then formerly; but whence was it that men formerly were not at such a distance? was it not because they were chained together? two prisoners chained to a block keep together all day long; men that are at liberty walk in the streets at a distance; if the prisoners should commend their life as more comfortable then yours, because they keep closer together all the day then you do, would you envy their happinesse? time hath been that a tyrannicall chain hath been upon us, we dared not then discuss any matters of differerence with freedom; if a Convocation determined it, there was a chain upon us to fasten us to it; now God hath given us more liberty to debate things freely, that we may finde out the truth more clearly; and though men while they are in their debates be at some distance one from another, do not say it was better with us heretofore then it is now, thou dost not speak wisely concerning this thing.
