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

5. This hath ever been the way of the men of the world; that when any have been unblamable and zealous upon the account of Religion, they will attempt their Reputation, though without any ground or colour, upon the account of righteousness. So suffered the Christians of old; and so the Puritans of former days, unjustly and falsely, as God will judge and declare. The world then in this matter is not to be believed; the common reports of it are from the devil, the accuser of the brethren; who accuses them in the same manner before God night and day. These are but pretences, whereby men ignorant of the mystery of the Gospel, and the power of Grace, harden themselves to their ruin.

5. This hath ever been the way of the men of the world; that when any have been unblamable and zealous upon the account of Religion, they will attempt their Reputation, though without any ground or colour, upon the account of righteousnesse. So suffered the Christians of old; and so the Puritans of former dayes, unjustly and falsly, as God will judge and declare. The world then in this matter is not to be beleeved; the common reports of it are from the devil, the accuser of the brethren; who accuses them in the same manner before God night and day. These are but pretenses, whereby men ignorant of the mystery of the Gospel, and the power of Grace, harden themselves to their ruine.

6. This remnant of Christ with whom his presence is, who are the glory of a nation, is to be found only amongst the professors of a nation. For although of those who are professors, there may be many bad, yet of those that are not professors, there is not one good. Where there is faith there will be a profession. If I should not know well where to find them; I am sure I know where I cannot find them; I cannot find them, in the ways of the world, and conformity to it; in darkness, ignorance, neglect of duty, and utter unacquaintedness with Gospel truths, the gifts and graces of the spirit; there I cannot find them; I shall not say of them, behold the Lords anointed, let their outward worldly appearance be what it will. now by the help of these considerations, those who have in themselves principles of life and light in Christ, will or may be, setting aside their temptations enabled to discover this generation of the Lords delight; and for others, I cannot take down the enmity that God hath set