God's work in founding Zion, and his peoples duty thereupon. A sermon preached in…

There are some things that I am afraid of, that lie contrary to what I am exhorting you unto! I wish the event manifest that I am afraid without cause; However give me leave to caution you of them, Because I cannot be faithful to my call, if I do not.

There are some things that I am affraid of, that ly contrary to what I am exhorting you unto! I wish the event manifest that I am affraid without cause; However give me leave to caution you of them, Because I cannot be faithfull to my call, if I doe not.

1. Take heed, least that evil be still abiding upon any of our Spirits, that we should be crying out and calling for Reformation, without a due consideration of what it is, and how it is to be brought about. I wish one of many of them, who have prayed for it, and complained for want of it, had endeavoured to carry it on as they might; would you have a Reformation; be you more humble, more holy, more zealous, delight more in the ways, worship, Ordinances of God: reform your persons in your lives, Relations, families, parishes, as to Gospel obedience, and you will see a glorious Reformation indeed: what mean you by a Reformation, is it the hurting of others, or doing good to our selves? is it a power over other mens persons, or our own lusts? God hath now for sundry years tried us, whether indeed we love Reformation or no; have any provoked us, or compelled us to ⟨p. 43⟩defile the worship of God, with ceremonies or superstitions, and our own consciences therewith all? have we been imposed on in the ways of God, by men ignorant of them? hath not God said to us! you that have prayed under persecution for Reformation, you that have fought in the high places of the field for Reformation, you that have covenanted and sworn for Reformation, go now, reform your selves; you Ministers, preach as often as you will, as freely as you please, no man shall control you, live as holily as you can, pray as often, fast as often as you will; be full of bounty and good works, giving examples to your flock, none shall trouble you; be instant in season, out of season, preach the whole counsel of God without control; you people be holy, serve God in holiness, keep close to his worship and ordinances, love them, delight in them, bring forth such fruits as men may glorify God on your account, condemn the world, justify the cause of God, by a Gospel Conversation; Take seven years peace and plenty, and see what you can do. If after all this, we still cry out, give us a Reformation, and complain not of our own negligence, folly and hatred of personal Reformation, to be the only cause of that want, it is easy to judge what we would have, had we our desires.