AS those who have been of late, and in these days yet are of the Antichristian party, may well be accounted men born in an evil time; because howsoever heretofore was the time of Gods long suffering towards such, ⟨image 3⟩the time of permission of them to prosper, the set time of Antichrists downfall then being further off then now it is. But now Gods time of setting his face against Antichrist, and all the Antichristian party, is come, wherein GOD is determined to fight against them, and to ruin them; most wretched men therefore are they who now have spirits set for the upholding, the pleading for that which God hath set himself against. So happy especially now are those whose hearts have been, and still are set to countenance, maintain, to further and honour the truth of the Gospel, in the power and purity of it; These are born and raised up by God, and for God, in a most blessed time, wherein God stretcheth out his holy Arm together with them, their hearts are guided by God himself, to the furtherance of that work which is the greatest work that God hath to do in this latter age of the world; namely, To bring in his Truth and Ordinances with glory and power, to set up Jerusalem as the praise of the earth, to make godliness, and the powerful profession of it, as honourable as ever it hath been contemptible. And now (Right Honourable) God hath been pleased to bless your Noble Family for many years past, with this so great a blessing, ⟨image 3⟩as to make it instrumental to this great work of his, and your self have had a plentiful share in this so great a happiness: Your Honour hath discountenanced superstitious time-serving spirits, but as for the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, and the most sincere and godly of your Country, your Honour hath cast much respect upon them, and been the encourager of them, which reflects Honour, as upon Gods name and his truth, so upon your noble Family; I believe there hath not ascended to Heaven more praises to God from any County in England for any Noble Family, in regard of the placing of a godly, painful, conscionable Ministry, as hath ascended from that County, in which your Honour, and your truly Noble Father, hath had such a large opportunity of service for God, and doing good to his people:
AS those who have been of late, and in these days yet are of the Antichristian party, may well be accounted men born in an evil time; because howsoever heretofore was the time of Gods long suffering towards such, ⟨image 3⟩the time of permission of them to prosper, the set time of Antichrists downfal then being further off then now it is. But now Gods time of setting his face against Antichrist, and all the Antichristian party, is come, wherein GOD is determined to fight against them, and to ruine them; most wretched men therefore are they who now have spirits set for the upholding, the pleading for that which God hath set himself against. So happy especially now are those whose hearts have been, and still are set to countenance, maintain, to further and honor the truth of the Gospel, in the power and purity of it; These are born and raised up by God, and for God, in a most blessed time, wherein God stretcheth out his holy Arm together with them, their hearts are guided by God himself, to the furtherance of that work which is the greatest work that God hath to do in this latter age of the world; namely, To bring in his Truth and Ordinances with glory and power, to set up Jerusalem as the praise of the earth, to make godliness, and the powerful profession of it, as honorable as ever it hath been contemptible. And now (Right Honorable) God hath been pleased to bless your Noble Family for many years past, with this so great a blessing, ⟨image 3⟩as to make it instrumental to this great work of his, and your self have had a plentiful share in this so great a happiness: Your Honor hath discountenanced superstitious time-serving spirits, but as for the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, and the most sincere and godly of your Countrey, your Honor hath cast much respect upon them, and been the encourager of them, which reflects Honor, as upon Gods name and his truth, so upon your noble Family; I believe there hath not ascended to Heaven more praises to God from any County in England for any Noble Family, in regard of the placing of a godly, painful, conscionable Ministery, as hath ascended from that County, in which your Honor, and your truly Noble Father, hath had such a large opportunity of service for God, and doing good to his people:
