Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy delivered…

1. How little fruit of Reformation hath there been on our part: what one thing hath there been amended? what public sin hath been reclaimed? is there ever the less vanity, pride, profaneness, oppression, contention? or do not these and the like evils seem rather to increase and grow more after all? and is not this a note of hypocrisy, to confess, and seem to bewail, and yet not to amend, but grow worse?

1. How little fruit of Reformation hath there been on our part: what one thing hath there been amended? what publick sin hath been reclaimed? is there ever the less vanity, pride, profaneness, oppression, contention? or do not these and the like evils seem rather to increase and grow more after all? and is not this a note of hypocrisie, to confess, and seem to bewail, and yet not to amend, but grow worse?

2. Wherein hath there been a removal of the Rod on Gods part: do not our calamities seem to increase, and the stroke to be more and more heavy? we lost many Instruments of the glory of God, and suffered many bodily Calamities, and Blastings of our labours, and we have fasted; but his anger is not turned a•ay, but his hand is stretched out still; yea more varieties of sorrows are heaped upon us: we may therefore well examine our own hearts, what is the reason of all this, unless we have no• yet indeed turned to him who smote us, th• Lord our God.

Doct. 2. Whatsoever pretence we make, yet God knows with what hear• •• come to him, to ask counsel and direction from him. The Jam at seem earnest and urgent, but yet the Lord tells them that they make one (i. e. no acceptable) enqity.