The peril of the times displayed. Or the danger of mens taking up with…

when there is a great deal of reason to suspect, that it is nothing else but an unwillingness to engage themselves in the strict ways of Holiness, and bring themselves under the bonds of the Gospel Covenant, lest it should lay too severe a restraint upon those lusts of theirs, which they are resolved not to part withal, whatsoever cometh of it: whereas were there the power of Godliness in them, and did they feel, and bewail the deceitfulness, and unruliness of the corrupt part in them, they would gladly come under the most potent obligations to Holiness, and reckon it so far from being an injury, that it is their real privilege to be fast bound to the ways of God.

when there is a great deal of reason to suspect, that it is nothing else but an unwillingness to engage themselves in the strict ways of Holiness, and bring themselves under the bonds of the Gospel Covenant, lest it should lay too severe a restraint upon those lusts of theirs, which they are resolved not to part withal, whatsoever cometh of it: whereas were there the power of Godliness in them, and did they feel, and bewail the deceitfulness, and unruliness of the corrupt part in them, they would gladly come under the most potent obligations to Holiness, and reckon it so far from being an injury, that it is their real priviledge to be fast bound to the ways of God.

4. That there is so much of Contempt cast upon the Gospel Ministry: The Lord ⟨p. 100⟩Jesus Christ hath appointed a Ministry for the outward Dispensation of his Gospel unto men, and for the promoving of Godliness among them; and hath made it an ordinary necessary medium to this great end, according to that, Rom. 10. 14. How shall they believe in whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall he Preach except he be sent? and for this reason, there is a good esteem to be had for this Ordinance of his, by all that would approve themselves pious. It is true, there is a difference to be acknowledged between the work it self, and the persons that are employed in it. As to the persons in the Ministry; though it be scarcely probable that men should profit by their Ministration, whiles they despise their persons, or entertain a low and a base esteem for them, and therefore it is said of the better times,