Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

Such a loathsome appearance of visors and pretences for the extenuating of sin, and countenancing of men in the practice of it, was never before represented unto the eyes of men. The main of their design as is now manifest, hath been so to interpret Scripture-Laws, Rules and Precepts, as to accommodate them all to that course of corrupt conversation, which prevaileth generally in the world, even among them who are called Christians.

Such a loathsome appearance of vizards and pretences for the extenuating of sin, and countenancing of men in the practice of it, was never before represented unto the eyes of men. The main of their design as is now manifest, hath been so to interpret Scripture-Laws, Rules and Precepts, as to accommodate them all to that course of corrupt conversation, which prevaileth generally in the world, even among them who are called Christians.

—Gratum opus Agricolis.

A Work exceeding acceptable and obliging to all sorts of men, who if not given up to open Atheism, would rejoice in nothing more, than in a reconciliation between the Rule of their consciences and their lusts, that they might sin freely without trouble or remorse. To this end having learned the inclinations ⟨p. 419⟩and temptations of men from their private confessions, and ending it a thing neither possible in it self, nor at all conducing to their own interest, to endeavour their Reformation by, and recovery unto the fixed stable Rule of Truth and Duty, they have by their false glosses, subtle distinctions, and refined imaginations, made it to justify and countenance them in the highest abominations, and in ways leading constantly to the practice of them. And there is nothing in their whole course, which faithful interpreters of the mind of God ought more carefully to avoid, than a falling in any instances into that evil, which these men have made it their design to promote and pursue. The World indeed seems to be weary of the just, righteous, holy ways of God; and of that exactness in walking according to his institutions and commands, which it will be one day known that he doth require. But the way to put a stop to this declension, is not by accommodating the commands of God to the corrupt courses and ways of men. The Truths of God, and the Holiness of his Precepts, must be pleaded and defended though the World dislike them here, and perish hereafter. His Law must not be made to lackey after the wills of men, nor be dissolved by vain interpretations, because they complain they cannot, indeed because they will not comply with it. Our Lord Jesus Christ came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfil them, and to supply men with spiritual strength to fulfil them also. It is evil to break the least Commandment, but there is a great aggravation of that evil in them that shall teach men so to do. And this cannot be done, but by giving such Expositions of them, as by virtue whereof, men may think