The child's portion, or, The unseen glory of the children of God asserted and…

4. It is sadly observable, that the spirit of zeal for God, and Holiness, hath died apace with them. We may in a deplorable degree say of our times, not only that the godly men die, but that they cease: we are not now put to it to know whom to employ in our public concerns in the Magistracy and Ministry, yea, and other places of weight, by reason of multiplicity of choice, as it hath sometimes been, but rather for want of choice: how many Congregations do now want to have the bread of Life to be broken to them, and are at a loss how to obtain it▪ and in all sorts of men, there seems to be a ⟨p. 159⟩dying (at least a fainting) of Religion, with the death of the Religious: and though (through mercy) God hath a number yet, of choice and faithful ones, yet their hands are thus weakened, and the sons of Zerviah begin to put out their heads and speak insultingly.

4. It is sadly observable, that the spirit of zeal for God, and Holiness, hath died apace with them. We may in a deplorable degree say of our times, not only that the godly men die, but that they cease: we are not now put to it to know whom to employ in our publick concerns in the Magistracy and Ministry, yea, and other places of weight, by reason of multiplicity of choice, as it hath sometimes been, but rather for want of choice: how many Congregations do now want to have the bread of Life to be broken to them, and are at a loss how to obtain it▪ and in all sorts of men, there seems to be a ⟨p. 159⟩dying (at least a fainting) of Religion, with the death of the Religious: and though (through mercy) God hath a number yet, of choise and faithful ones, yet their hands are thus weakned, and the sons of Zerviah begin to put out their heads and speak insultingly.

5. Nor is it a little to be lamented, that those men dye in a great measure unlamented; yea, by too many reproached: and this is the sad note of our Context, men lay it not to heart, nor consider the hand of God in these things. Now let us lay all these things together, and see if they do not solemnly speak that we have reason to be afraid that God hath removed them in order to some sore and dreadful calamity which he is preparing for us, except he be in time prevented, and therefore.