who discernest not the manifold advantages that they have got in these days, wherein all things are shaken, nor hast been troubled or moved for the sad successes they have had amongst professors, but supposest that all things are well within door, and without, and would be better, couldest thou obtain fuller satisfaction to some of thy Lusts, in the pleasures or profits of the world, I desire thee to know, that I write not for thee, nor do esteem thee a fit Reader, or judge of what is here written. Whilst all the issues of Providential dispensations, in reference to the public concernments of these nations are perplexed and entangled, the footsteps of God lying in the deep, where his paths are not known; whilst in particular, unparalleled distresses, and strange prosperities are measured ⟨image 4⟩out to men, yea to Professors; whilst a spirit of error, giddiness, and delusion goes forth with such strength and efficacy, as it seems to have received a Commission to go and prosper; whilst there are such divisions strifes, emulations, attended with such evil surmises, wrath, & revenge, found amongst brethren; whilst the desperate issues and products of mens temptations are seen day• in partial, & total apostasy, in the decay of love, the overthrow of faith; our days being filled with fearful examples of back sliding, such as former Ages never knew whilst there is a visible declension from Reformation seizing upon the professing party of these nations, both as to personal holiness, and zeal for the interest of Christ; He that understands not that there is an hour of temptation come upon the world to try them that dwell in the earth is doubtless either himself at present captivated under the power of some woeful lust, corruption, or Temptation, or is indeed stark blind, and knows not at all what it is to serve God in temptations: With such then I have not at present to do; for ⟨image 4⟩those who have in general a sense of these things, who also in some measure are able to consider that the Plague is begun, that they may be farther awakened to look about them, lest the infection have approached nearer to them, by some secret & imperceptible ways, than they did apprehend; or lest they should be surprised at unawares hereafter by any of those temptations that in these days either wast at noon, or else walk in darkness, is the ensuing warning intended;
who discernest not the manifold advantages that they have got in these daies, wherein all things are shaken, nor hast been troubled or moved for the sad successes they have had amongst professors, but supposest that all things are well within door, and without, and would be better, couldest thou obtaine fuller satisfaction to some of thy Lusts, in the pleasures or profits of the world, I desire thee to knovv, that I vvrite not for thee, nor do esteeme thee a fit Reader, or judge of what is here written. Whilest all the issues of Providentiall dispensations, in reference to the publick concernements of these nations are perplexed and intangled, the footsteps of God lying in the deep, where his pathes are not known; whilst in particular, unparalleled distresses, and strange prosperities are measured ⟨image 4⟩out to men, yea to Professors; whilest a spirit of errour, giddinesse, and delusion goes forth with such strength and efficacy, as it seemes to have received a Commission to go and prosper; whilst there are such divisions strifes, emulations, attended with such evil surmises, wrath, & revenge, found amongst brethren; whilest the desperate issues and products of mens temptations are seen day• in partiall, & totall apostacy, in the decay of love, the overthrow of faith; our dayes being filled with fearful examples of back sliding, such as former Ages never knew whilst there is a visible declension from Reformation seizing upon the professing party of these nations, both as to personall holinesse, and zele for the interest of Christ; He that understands not that there is an houre of temptatiō come upon the world to try them that dwell in the earth is doubtlesse either himselfe at present captivated under the power of some woefull lust, corruption, or Temptation, or is indeed starke blind, and knowes not at all what it is to serve God in temptations: With such then I have not at present to doe; for ⟨image 4⟩those who have in generall a sense of these things, who also in some measure are able to consider that the Plague is begun, that they may be farther awakened to look about thē, lest the infection have approached nearer to them, by some secret & imperceptible wayes, than they did apprehend; or lest they should be surprized at unawares hereafter by any of those temptations that in these dayes either wast at noone, or else walke in darknesse, is the ensuing warning intended;
