Some have divided the world into thirty parts, and have affirmed nineteen of those to be without Christ, (in whose name alone is salvation) and six of the remaining eleven to be •apists, which certainly are in no safe way to heaven, and five parts of thirty only to be Protestants, amongst whom they that read of their way of worship beyond the Seas, will find many of these to be but mongrel-Protestants; But (to wave this, and) to come to England, where it is generally by godly men believed, that God hath as numerous an issue of new-born children, as in any such quantity of ground in the world; and Reader, take the public congregation thou dost join with in the solemn worship of the ever-blessed God upon his own day; and suppose one should come and sweep out of it in the first place, all notorious sinners, drunkards, swearers, ⟨p. 135⟩adulterers, extortioners, liars, railers, scoffers at godliness, Sabbath-breakers, and the like; upon whom whosoever looketh with Scripture-spectacles, may see the Devils mark on their foreheads, hell written on them in great letters,1 they continuing impenitent; would not such a besom sweep away much dust, even a great part of the people of the Parish where thou livest: but suppose one should come in the second place, and purge out your civil and moral, yet unsanctified men and women; such I mean, as are fair and just in their carriage and dealings, you cannot say black is their eye; they pay to every man his due; these are good second-Table men and women, their Religion consisteth altogether in their righteousness towards men; they will not for a world wrong their neighbour of a farthing, but they make no conscience of robbing God of the great fear, chief love, choice delight, strong trust, which are due to his Majesty; they know not what it is to know him and his will, to acknowledge him by religious performances of prayer, reading, and the like in their Families and Closets, they can scarce tell you what God is, or what Christ is; or what the Lord ⟨p. 136⟩Jesus hath suffered or purchased for sinners: As old as many of them are, they are more ignorant of the natures, offices, states of Christ, of regeneration, justification, and sanctification, than little children; and yet they are too old to learn; the Minister cannot persuade them to come to him, and be instructed by him in the principles of the Oracles of God;
Some have divided the world into thirty parts, and have affirmed nineteen of those to be without Christ, (in whose name alone is salvation) and six of the remaining eleven to be •apists, which certainly are in no safe way to heaven, and five parts of thirty only to be Protestants, amongst whom they that read of their way of worship beyond the Seas, will find many of these to be but mungrel-Protestants; But (to wave this, and) to come to England, where it is generally by godly men believed, that God hath as numerous an issue of new-born children, as in any such quantity of ground in the world; and Reader, take the publick congregation thou dost joyn with in the solemn worship of the ever-blessed God upon his own day; and suppose one should come and sweep out of it in the first place, all notorious sinners, drunkards, swearers, ⟨p. 135⟩adulterers, extortioners, liars, railers, scoffers at godlinesse, Sabbath-breakers, and the like; upon whom whosoever looketh with Scripture-spectacles, may see the Devils mark on their foreheads, hell written on them in great letters,1 they continuing impenitent; would not such a besome sweep away much dust, even a great part of the people of the Parish where thou livest: but suppose one should come in the second place, and purge out your civil and moral, yet unsanctified men and women; such I mean, as are fair and just in their carriage and dealings, you cannot say black is their eye; they pay to every man his due; these are good second-Table men and women, their Religion consisteth altogether in their righteousnesse towards men; they will not for a world wrong their neighbour of a farthing, but they make no conscience of robbing God of the great fear, chief love, choice delight, strong trust, which are due to his Majesty; they know not what it is to know him and his will, to acknowledge him by religious performances of prayer, reading, and the like in their Families and Closets, they can scarce tell you what God is, or what Christ is; or what the Lord ⟨p. 136⟩Jesus hath suffered or purchased for sinners: As old as many of them are, they are more ignorant of the natures, offices, states of Christ, of regeneration, justification, and sanctification, than little children; and yet they are too old to learn; the Minister cannot perswade them to come to him, and be instructed by him in the principles of the Oracles of God;
- 11 Cor. Gal.
