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

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.

3. It cannot be denied, but that many of them who do belong unto Christ, have woefully miscarried in these days. O tell it not in Gath, publish it not in Askelon; Oh that our souls could mourn in secret on that account, that we could go backward, and cover the nakedness and folly of one another; but alas, this hath been far from being our frame of spirit; we have every one spread the failings of his brother, before the face of men and devils; but yet not withstanding these miscarriages, those that are the people of Christ, are his people still; and he loves them still. whether we will or no; and commonly those who are least able to bear with the miscarriages of others, have must of their own.

3. It cannot be denied, but that many of them who do belong unto Christ, have woefully miscarried in these dayes. O tell it not in Gath, publish it not in Askelon; Oh that our souls could mourn in secret on that account, that we could go backward, and cover the nakednesse and folly of one another; but alasse, this hath been far from being our frame of spirit; we have every one spread the failings of his brother, before the face of men and devils; but yet not withstanding these miscarriages, those that are the people of Christ, are his people still; and he loves them still. whether we will or no; and commonly those who are least able to bear with the miscarriages of others, have must of their own.