Nay this great evil and wickedness is a sad sign that such are given up and left of God, as not retaining God in their knowledge, as the Apostle speaks of the Gentiles, who when they arrived to some degree of knowledge of God, yet did not glorify him as God; but violated his Law written in their Hearts: Therefore 'tis said, that God gave them up to vile Affections, and they were filled with all Unrighteousness, 1Fornication, Wickedness, Covetousness, Maliciousness, full of Envy, Murder, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, Whisperers, Backbiters, Despiteful, Proud, Boasters, &c. No doubt but that the Sin of Backbiting, Wrath, Malice, and Envy is as bad, if not worse, than Fornication, Swearing or Drunkenness; and lamentable it is to see this Sin, found among some who account themselves no small persons for Knowledge, Zeal and Piety in these days. But alas! alas! how sad and deplorable is their Condition, and vain that profession they make of Religion! let them repent of this their great wickedness, and get a changed heart. Moreover, are there not in this floor others who are proud, earthly, carnal and covetous Persons? they are called Nonconformists, but 'tis not so far as they ought from the Sins and Pollutions of this World, they conform to them in their detestable fashions and covetous practices: Do not many of them appear to love Sons and Daughters more than Christ or his sinking Interest? they can lay out plentifully to feed and clothe their own Children, whilst their bowels are shut up against the poor Members of Christ or Children of God; they'll spare more to gratify the Pride and base Lusts of their Children, than they will spare to supply the necessities of the poor Saints, or to support the Interest of Christ and his Gospel: Many pounds shall go for the first use, when a Shilling is thought a great deal with some of them for the second; they think nothing too much to enrich and uphold their own Families, whilst the Family of God suffers want, and the Cause of Christ languishes in their hands. O how little does the power of Grace and true Godliness shine amongst this sort! what formality and lukewarmness is there in these days, amongst such who are called Saints and holy Brethren! This, it is true, may be called Christ's Floor especially, but abundance of Chaff, no doubt will be found in it, when the Fanner comes to fan it. Look to it you Sinners in Zion:
Nay this great evil and wickedness is a sad sign that such are given up and left of God, as not retaining God in their knowledge, as the Apostle speaks of the Gentiles, who when they arrived to some degree of knowledge of God, yet did not glorifie him as God; but violated his Law written in their Hearts: Therefore 'tis said, that God gave them up to vile Affections, and they were filled with all Unrighteousness, 1Fornication, Wickedness, Covetousness, Maliciousness, full of Envy, Murther, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, Whisperers, Backbiters, Despiteful, Proud, Boasters, &c. No doubt but that the Sin of Backbiting, Wrath, Malice, and Envy is as bad, if not worse, than Fornication, Swearing or Drunkenness; and lamentable it is to see this Sin, found among some who account themselves no small persons for Knowledge, Zeal and Piety in these days. But alas! alas! how sad and deplorable is their Condition, and vain that profession they make of Religion! let them repent of this their great wickedness, and get a changed heart. Moreover, are there not in this floor others who are proud, earthly, carnal and covetous Persons? they are called Nonconformists, but 'tis not so far as they ought from the Sins and Pollutions of this World, they conform to them in their detestable fashions and covetous practices: Do not many of them appear to love Sons and Daughters more than Christ or his sinking Interest? they can lay out plentifully to feed and cloath their own Children, whilst their bowels are shut up against the poor Members of Christ or Children of God; they'll spare more to gratifie the Pride and base Lusts of their Children, than they will spare to supply the necessities of the poor Saints, or to support the Interest of Christ and his Gospel: Many pounds shall go for the first use, when a Shilling is thought a great deal with some of them for the second; they think nothing too much to enrich and uphold their own Families, whilst the Family of God suffers want, and the Cause of Christ languishes in their hands. O how little does the power of Grace and true Godliness shine amongst this sort! what formality and lukewarmness is there in these days, amongst such who are called Saints and holy Brethren! This, it is true, may be called Chirists Floor especially, but abundance of Chaff, no doubt will be found in it, when the Fanner comes to fan it. Look to it you Sinners in Sion:
- 1Rom. 1. 28. 29.
