But on the contrary, if we turn from our evil ways, God will perfect his building, and finish his plantation, he will make us a glorious Paradise, an habitation fit for himself to dwell in; he will set up his ordinances after a purer ⟨p. 59⟩manner, and watch over us for good from the beginning of the year to the end of it. Oh that these words of mine might be as goads, and as nails to fasten this point upon your hearts, that it may take deep impression, and abide for ever upon your spirits. It may be some will say, That this doctrine is as common as the highway: It is true, It is a common high way, but it is the high way to heaven. And though it be not a Doctrine to glut your ears, yet it is savoury meat, such as Jacob provided for Esau, whereby he obtained the blessing. Turn or burn for ever in Hell. Let every man labour first to turn himself, and then let us endeavour to reform one another. There is a great complaint in the Kingdom. The Ministers complain of their people, that they are factious, seditious, covetous, dis-respectful of the Ministry, &c. And that because they do not reform; therefore the judgements of God are not turned away from us. The people complain of their Ministers, that they are dumb dogs, greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and that they are superstitious, more for pomp then substance; and that until the scandalous Ministers be removed, Gods heavy hand will never be removed from us. The rich complain of the poor, that they are lazy, and thievish, The poor of the rich, that they are proud and hard-hearted. The superiors cry out against their inferiors, and the inferiors against the superiors. And because every man expects when ⟨p. 60⟩his neighbour should turn, hence it cometh to pass that no man in particular turns. We look for that in another, which we forget to do in our selves. I know no way to reconcile this division, but by raising a new division, and by persuading all sorts of people to strive, who should be the first in turning to God, who should first get into Christ, who should first get into the Ark. Every man strives for worldly precedency. Oh let us strive for this spiritual precedency! It is no pride in this to go one before another. He is the humblest that goeth first. And being reformed in our own persons, let us in the next place labour to reform one another.
But on the contrary, if we turn from our evill wayes, God will perfect his building, and finish his plantation, he will make us a glorious Paradise, an habitation fit for himself to dwell in; he will set up his ordinances after a purer ⟨p. 59⟩manner, and watch over us for good from the beginning of the yeer to the end of it. Oh that these words of mine might be as goads, and as nails to fasten this point upon your hearts, that it may take deep impression, and abide for ever upon your spirits. It may be some will say, That this doctrine is as common as the highway: It is true, It is a common high way, but it is the high way to heaven. And though it be not a Doctrine to glut your ears, yet it is savoury meat, such as Iacob provided for Esau, whereby he obtained the blessing. Turn or burn for ever in Hell. Let every man labour first to turn himself, and then let us endeavour to reform one another. There is a great complaint in the Kingdom. The Ministers complain of their people, that they are factious, seditious, covetous, dis-respectfull of the Ministery, &c. And that because they do not reform; therefore the judgements of God are not turned away from us. The people complain of their Ministers, that they are dumb dogs, greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and that they are superstitious, more for pomp then substance; and that untill the scandalous Ministers be removed, Gods heavy hand will never be removed from us. The rich complain of the poor, that they are lazy, and theevish, The poor of the rich, that they are proud and hard-hearted. The superiours cry out against their inferiours, and the inferiours against the superiours. And because every man expects when ⟨p. 60⟩his neighbour should turn, hence it cometh to passe that no man in particular turns. We look for that in another, which we forget to do in our selves. I know no way to reconcile this division, but by raising a new division, and by perswading all sorts of people to strive, who should be the first in turning to God, who should first get into Christ, who should first get into the Ark. Every man strives for worldly precedency. Oh let us strive for this spirituall precedency! It is no pride in this to go one before another. He is the humblest that goeth first. And being reformed in our own persons, let us in the next place labour to reform one another.
