The carnality of religious contention in two sermons preached at the merchant's lecture in…The carnality of religious contention in two sermons preach'd at the merchant's lecture in…

It is not considered, that where the danger is less of an utter Ruin to the Souls of Men, there is however occasioned a great Languor and Enfeeblement. They should be considered, and treated, not only as being weak, but lest they should be made so. When they are diverted from the proper means of Improvement and Growth, and their Minds are alienated from those means being otherwise engaged, an ill Habit is contracted; and when the Distemper hath seized some, it spreads, and soon infects more. Nutriment is dispensed, from the Head through the Body, by the Co-operation of the several parts, ⟨p. 83⟩as those Texts, Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. do with great Emphasis and Elegance speak. Understand it so, that how far soever there is, or ought to be actual Communion, every Limb and Joint contributes something to the strength and vigour of the rest. So is Nourishment ministered, and spreads it's self in the Body to it's edifying it's self in love: Which Love if it fail, an universal Languor cannot but ensue, the free Circulation of Vital Spirits being obstructed and stopped. And those that are most sensible, if they be not so much otherwise damnified, cannot, when they observe it, but be grieved, and take it bitterly to Heart; when the Tokens appear to their View of a general Decay. The living Members of any Body are pained, when the Body is wasted and rent; dead or stupefied and benumbed Members feel it not, are unapprehensive. But above all, it ought to be considered, (and how little is it?) that the Holy Spirit is grieved, and doth (as we may fear it will more) sensibly retire. The Gospel in which it is wont to breathe is trifled with: The glorious ⟨p. 84⟩Gospel! The Gospel of the Grace of God! (Can Men find nothing else to play with?) by which that blessed Spirit hath begotten many a Soul to God, and nourished them unto Life Eternal. That precious thing designed for so great, and sacred purposes, (as pampered, wanton Children do with their Food) they dally with, or quarrel about it, or squander and throw it away. How can this but offend? The self-procured Distempers which did precede, and those that ensue, increase the Offence. When 'tis said, Eph. 4. 30