An Exact collection of farewell sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…An Exact collection of farewel sermons preached by the late London-ministers viz. Mr. Calamy,…

15. Consider what a dangerous and lamentable standing those have, that be not established, &c. You stand, but it is as unrooted plants or trees that stand shaking in the wind: beholders are always looking when they fall: you stand, but it is as a sick man, wavering, reeling, like Lot's wife, looking back, and always upon every occasion ready to repent: You have been Believers, little things perplex and trouble you; little tribulations and afflictions discompose and disturb you; little temptations make you question the Scripture, the Providence of God, his love and care of his people, and the great foundations of Religion: Foundations seem to shake, because you are shaking and tottering, &c. And what is like to become of such a soul? If thou stands shaking under small temptations for want of confirmation, what wilt thou do when a Papist, or Quaker, &c. shall so speak concerning Religion, which thou art not able to answer? and so the surest foundation seems nothing when thou hast so weak hold: Our greatest afflictions, next to the misery of the ungodly, is, to think of our weak ones, what will become of them: and •e ily we do expect a considerable part of our Congregations should be carried away: those that are Christians and know not why, yet have not humility enough to make use of others, and to keep close to those that should assist them. Remember when you see such times when seducers are able to say the worst, shall make the strongest assaults on the weak ones, how many will be like to fall? Again, sickness, death, dying times will come, when you ⟨p. 151⟩shall find a little grace will not easily do your work; and though you perish not, yet you may faint, and to your sorrow find the want of confirmation. You cannot but know how the strongest are put to it in trying hours, or at death. Will slack and unsettled hopes of another life, such distempered hearts fight and encounter with such trials? Never think of dying comfortably, if you follow not after confirming grace.

15. Consider what a dangerous and lamentable standing those have, that be not established, &c. You stand, but it is as unrooted plants or trees that stand shaking in the wind: beholders are alwayes looking when they fall: you stand, but it is as a sick man, wavering, reeling, like Lot's wife, looking back, and alwayes upon every occasion ready to repent: You have been Believers, little things perplex and trouble you; little tribulations and afflictions discompose and disturb you; little temptations make you question the Scripture, the Providence of God, his love and care of his people, and the great foundations of Religion: Foundations seem to shake, because you are shaking and tottering, &c. And what is like to become of such a soul? If thou stands shaking under small temptations for want of confirmation, what wilt thou do when a Papist, or Quaker, &c. shall so speak concerning Religion, which thou art not able to answer? and so the surest foundation seems nothing when thou hast so weak hold: Our greatest afflictions, next to the misery of the ungodly, is, to think of our weak ones, what will become of them: and e ily we do expect a considerable part of our Congregations should be carried away: those that are Christians and know not why, yet have not humility enough to make use of others, and to keep close to those that should assist them. Remember when you see such times when seducers are able to say the worst, shall make the strongest assaults on the weak ones, how many will be like to fall? Again, sichness, death, dying times will come, when you