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

4. Do we conform, or carefully live contrary to the iniquity of the Times? We before observed, that when the power of Godliness decays among a people, ⟨p. 132⟩there are many sins that will thereupon grow into common practice, and when they are so, it becomes a reproach to them that will not run in the stream, or who dare not to join with others in them: Now here is a notable trial of the strength of Grace in the Children of God, and if it hold its own here, it is powerful indeed. There are no such ill practices introduced, but it is with a pretence of lawful liberty, and their Consciences are censured as being needlessly nice, that boggle at them, or are scrupulous about their joining in with them; as if the custom of an evil thing, took the evil from it, and it must needs be good, be cause it is come in fashion. How is it now? are you afraid of crossing the humours of the Generation? are you ashamed of standing alone? are you affrighted at the bug bear harangue of Singularity? and can you thereupon allow your selves practically to comply with such things, because they are customary, and the generality of people make no bones of them, though you find your own minds uneasy about them, and something within that tells you, these things ought not ⟨p. 133⟩to be? this may convincingly tell you, that you want a great deal of the power, which the people of God ought at such a time to express; for God is now proving of you, and trying your integrity; and if in such small temptations as these are you cannot withstand, but are carried away by them, how then will you do, when you are called to encounter with fiery trials? But if you resolutely maintain your integrity, and are not drawn to entertain the allurements that are offered you, but resolve by the Grace of God, to keep your selves pure from these things, and not join in with the excesses and exorbitances which are prevailing in the Generation which you live among; this will be a good witness for you, that the work of faith acteth in you with power. This is the advice which God gave to the Prophet, in Jer. 15. 19. Let them return unto thee, but do not thou return unto them.

4. Do we conform, or carefully live contrary to the iniquity of the Times? We before observed, that when the power of Godliness decays among a people,