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

1. Discontentment with our peculiar lot and portion, in the work of the Lord, and common interest of his people. It is with us, in our civil affairs, as the Apostle saith it is not in the natural body, nor ought to be in the spiritual, or Church body: The foot doth not say, because I am not the head, I am not of the body; no, it doth not; but is content with its own ⟨p. 30⟩place and usefulness. It is so with the rest of the members that are more noble, and yet are not the head neither. It is otherwise with us: I interpose not my thoughts, as to your present constitution, and the order of things amongst us. I speak no more then I have sundry years since, sundry times complained of, to a Parliament of this Common-wealth. Every one, if not personally, yet in Association with them, of some peculiar persuasion with himself, would be the head; and because they are not, they conclude they are not of the body, nor will care for the body, but rather endeavour its ruin. Because their peculiar interest doth not reign, the common interest shall be despised; and this hath been the temper or rather distemper, of the people of God in this Nation now for sundry years; and what it may yet produce I know not. Only for the present the work of God in founding Zion, in pursuing his peoples common interest, is despised, thought light of, and all the pleasant things thereof trodden under foot. Unless God end this frame, my expectations, I confess, of an happy issue of the great work of God amongst us, will wither day by day.

1. Discontentment with our peculiar lot and portion, in the work of the Lord, and common interest of his people. It is with us, in our civile affaires, as the Apostle saith it is not in the naturall body, nor ought to be in the spirituall, or Church body: The foot doth not say, because I am not the head, I am not of the body; no, it doth not; but is content with its own ⟨p. 30⟩place and usefulnesse. It is so with the rest of the members that are more noble, and yet are not the head neither. It is otherwise with us: I enterpose not my thoughts, as to your present constitution, and the order of things amongst us. I speak no more then I have sundry years since, sundry times complained of, to a Parliament of this Common-wealth. Every one, if not personally, yet in Association with them, of some peculiar perswasion with himselfe, would be the head; and because they are not, they conclude they are not of the body, nor will care for the body, but rather endeavour its ruine. Because their peculiar interest doth not raigne, the common interest shall be despised; and this hath been the temper or rather distemper, of the people of God in this Nation now for sundry years; and what it may yet produce I know not. Only for the present the work of God in founding Sion, in purseuing his peoples common interest, is despised, thought light of, and all the pleasant things thereof trodden under foot. Unlesse God end this frame, my expectations, I confesse, of an happy issue of the great work of God amongst us, will wither day by day.