A64999:193
Words of advice to young men delivered in two sermons at two conventions of…
Words of advice to young men delivered in two sermons at two conventions of young men, the one Decemb. 25, 1666, the other Decemb. 25, 1667 / by Thomas Vincent ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. The wicked one doth represent Professors as hypocritical and wicked; that they make a fair show, but they have rotten hearts; that they are all a company of hypocrites, and secretly wicked, and would not stick at any sin upon occasion more than others who make no profession, which he would induce them to believe, because some here proved hypocrites, and fallen quite away, who have made as high a profession as any, and therefore that they are all alike: Moreover that some whom all account to have been sincere, have committed as great sins as the most wicked on occasion, as Davids murder and adultery; and then Satan doth employ his instruments, some to invent and raise slanders on many sincere persons, especially the most faithful Ministers of the Gospel; and others to divulge them, and endeavoureth what he can that all might believe them, that young on•s especially may hereby be prejudiced against all Professors, and by consequence be kept from obedience unto the Gospel.
5. The wicked one doth represent Professors as hypocritical and wicked; that they make a fair shew, but they have rotten hearts; that they are all a company of hypocrites, and secretly wicked, and would not stick at any sin upon occasion more than others who make no profession, which he would induce them to believe, because some here proved hypocrites, and fallen quite away, who have made as high a profession as any, and therefore that they are all alike: Moreover that some whom all account to have been sincere, have committed as great sins as the most wicked on occasion, as Davids murder and adultery; and then Satan doth employ his instruments, some to invent and raise slanders on many sincere persons, especially the most faithful Ministers of the Gospel; and others to divulge them, and endeavoureth what he can that all might believe them, that young on•s especially may hereby be prejudiced against all Professors, and by consequence be kept from obedience unto the Gospel.
That you may overcome this prejudice, know,