An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

Now, if Moses was thus reproved and censured by God himself, for speaking passionately, to a people who had provoked both God their Deliverer, and him their Leader; what reproof do they deserve, who, either upon none, or very little provocation, call their Brethren, Hypocrites, Heretics, Schismatics, Rebels, perjured persons, men of prostituted consciences, or at least, of unsettled and uncertain Principles; will not the Lord take notice of this bitterness, even in those who are his precious Servants, towards their fellow-servants, when he laid so heavy a penalty (as non-admission into the promised Land) upon a pair of the most eminent and faithful Servants that ever he called forth to his work, since he laid the foundations, of the World?

Now, if Moses was thus reproved and censured by God himselfe, for speaking passionately, to a people who had provoked both God their Deliverer, and him their Leader; what reproofe doe they deserve, who, either upon none, or very little provocation, call their Brethren, Hypocrites, Hereticks, Scismaticks, Rebels, perjured persons, men of prostituted consciences, or at least, of unsettled and uncertaine Principles; will not the Lord take notice of this bitternesse, even in those who are his precious Servants, towards their fellow-servants, when he layd so heavy a penalty (as non-admission into the promised Land) upon a payre of the most eminent and faithfull Servants that ever he called forth to his work, since he layd the foundations, of the World?

This falls heavy upon the present age: Whence is that bitterness, that Gall and Wormwood which falls from many, both tongues and Pens every day? What hath provoked them thus to speak and write? I confess there have been provocations, ⟨p. 226⟩and some do but give Gall for Gall, and Wormwood for Wormwood; yet it cannot be denied, but that many speak and write bitterly, when they have had no provocation; yea most who speak bitterly, have been treated gently, and few who answer angerly will be able to give a good account what hath provoked them thus to answer; and how much soever any man hath been provoked, the Lord may justly make him smart for such smartness in answering. It will not bear us out in acting or speaking besides the rule, because others do so. Paul shows us our duty in his own practice (