The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…

1. Then I shall willingly lay this down for a principle, that he is not Religious, who is not also Righteous; as also I shall not much value his Righteousness, who is not Religious. He that is righteous doth righteousness; he doth so, in the bent of his spirit and course of his ways and walkings. If a man be froward, heady, highminded, sensual unjust, oppressive, worldly, self-seeking, a hater of good men, false, treacherous, let him pretend to what he will; that mans religion is in vain; he may have a form of Godliness, ⟨p. 19⟩but he hath not the power of it. This principle we shall agree upon;

1. Then I shall willingly lay this down for a principle, that he is not Religious, who is not also Righteous; as also I shall not much value his Righteousnesse, who is not Religious. He that is righteous doth righteousnesse; he doth so, in the bent of his spirit and course of his wayes and walkings. If a man be froward, heady, highminded, sensual unjust, oppressive, worldly, selfseeking, a hater of good men, false, treacherous, let him pretend to what he will; that mans religion is in vain; he may have a form of Godlinesse, ⟨p. 19⟩but he hath not the power of it. This principle we shall agree upon;

2. There have been in the days wherein we live, many false professors, hypocrites, that have thought gain to be Godliness, by reason of whose wicked lives, ways and walking, the name of God hath been evil spoken of; and woe to them by whom these offences are come; but yet also woe to the world because of offences; if these offences turn off men, from an esteem of the Remnant of Christ in whom is his presence, woe to them also. I acknowledge these days have abounded with offences; but woe to them who are turned aside by them, from owning the portion and inheritance of Christ.

2. There have been in the dayes wherein we live, many false professors, hypocrites, that have thought gain to be Godlinesse, by reason of whose wicked lives, wayes and walking, the name of God hath been evil spoken of; and woe to them by whom these offences are come; but yet also woe to the world because of offences; if these offences turn off men, from an esteem of the Remnant of Christ in whom is his presence, woe to them also. I acknowledge these dayes have abounded with offences; but woe to them who are turned aside by them, from owning the portion and inheritance of Christ.