The Sincere Convert

1. Look to all ages, and we shall find but a handful saved. As soon as ever the Lord began to keep house, and there were but two families in it, there was a bloody Cain living, and a good Abel slain. And as the world increased in number, so in wickedness, Gen. 6. 12. it is said, All flesh had corrupted their ways, and amongst so many thousand men, not one righteous ⟨p. 121⟩but Noah, and his family; and yet in the Ark there crept in a cursed Ham.

1. Looke to all ages, and we shall finde but a handfull saved. Assoone as ever the Lord began to keepe house, and there were but two familyes in it, there was a bloudy Cain living, and a good Abel slaine. And as the world increased in number, so in wickednesse, Gen. 6. 12. it is said, All flesh had corrupted their wayes, and amongst so many thousand men, not one righteous ⟨p. 121⟩but Noah, and his family; and yet in the Arke there crept in a cursed Cham.

Afterwards, as Ab•ahams posterity increased, so we see their sin abounded. When his posterity was in Egypt, where one would think if ever men were good, now it would appear, being so heavily afflicted by Pharaoh, being by so many miracles miraculously delivered by the hand of Moses; yet most of these God was wroth with, Heb. 3. 12. and only two of them, Caleb and Joshua went into Canaan, a type of Heaven. Look into Solomons time, what glorious times! what great profession was there then! yet after his death, ten Tribes fell to the odious sin of Idolatry, following the command of Jeroboam their King. Look further into Isaiah's time, when there were multitudes of sacrifices and prayers, Isay 1. 11. yet then there was but a remnant,