The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth,…The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth,…

As 1. Because Gods blessing doth most remarkably follow their other enterprises; Hence Hag. 1. God bids them consider, whether they did not thrive accordingly as they promoted the building of the Temple; and thus Jehoshaphat, when he bestirred himself in a reformation, fear fell upon all the nations round about, that they dared not to war with him; and on the contrary, how was Solomons and Rehoboams kingdom shaken, when they corrupted the worship of God? If we would judge by Scripture, we should see horrible wickedness and impiety in those speeches of men, which say; It is this strictness, this reformation that brings all our calamities upon us: men that will not be persuaded, their own oaths, drunkenness and ungodly practices do make the land miserable, will yet think the prayers and active endeavours of the godly to bring all our ruin upon us. 1. This is no Scripture judgement. If therefore we would have God subdue our enemies, and those that hate us, let Magistrates subdue that which is an enemy to God, corrupt worship, defiled administrations of ordinances, these are enemies to God. It is true, sometimes God, to try the constancy of reformers and their faithfulness, hath brought much war and calamity upon them, presently upon finishing the reformation, as 2 Chron. 32.1.

As 1. Because Gods blessing doth most remarkably follow their other enterprises; Hence Hag. 1. God bids them consider, whether they did not thrive accordingly as they promoted the building of the Temple; and thus Jehoshaphat, when he bestirred himselfe in a reformation, fear fell upon all the nations round about, that they dared not to warre with him; and on the contrary, how was Solomons and Rehoboams kingdome shaken, when they corrupted the worship of God? If we would judge by Scripture, we should see horrible wickednesse and impiety in those speeches of men, which say; It is this strictnesse, this reformation that brings all our calamities upon us: men that will not be perswaded, their own oaths, drunkennesse and ungodly practices do make the land miserable, will yet thinke the prayers and active endeavours of the godly to bring all our ruine upon us. 1. This is no Scripture judgement. If therefore we would have God subdue our enemies, and those that hate us, let Magistrates subdue that which is an enemy to God, corrupt worship, defiled administrations of ordinances, these are enemies to God. It is true, sometimes God, to try the constancie of reformers and their faithfullnesse, hath brought much warre and calamity upon them, presently upon finishing the reformation, as