Communion with God. in two sermons preached at Paul'sCommunion vvith God. in two sermons preach'd at Paul's

3. What have you to object against the ways of God, wherein you may get acquaintance with him, and climb up to communion with him? Christians, poor Ministers that love your souls, would fain have you to live in the light of Gods countenance; to have all your enmity to God done away. Believe it, Sirs, we do not only many a time appear upon our knees to God for you, but could be content, to come upon our knees from God to you, to beseech you not to stand in your own light; Is it not ⟨p. 31⟩enough to make ones heart to ache to think men need entreaties in such a business? what then, to see men will not be entreated? Will you but bring forth your strong reasonings, why you will not mind Religion more seriously; that being the only way of obtaining communion with God?

3. What have you to object against the waies of God, wherein you may get acquaintance with him, and climbe up to communion with him? Christians, poore Ministers that love your soules, would faine have you to live in the light of Gods countenance; to have all your enmitie to God done away. Believe it, Sirs, we doe not onely many a time appear upon our knees to God for you, but could be content, to come upon our knees from God to you, to beseech you not to stand in your owne light; Is it not ⟨p. 31⟩enough to make ones heart to ake to thinke men need entreaties in such a businesse? what then, to see men will not be entreated? Will you but bring forth your strong reasonings, why you will not mind Religion more seriously; that being the onely way of obtaining communion with God?

You do not like so much strictness. And why, I pray you? It is a dull and mopish business. Did you ever try it? if not, you are not a competent Judge. I cannot believe that man ever tasted honey, that saith it is not sweet. David saith, Psal. 119.72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of Gold and Silver. And he had more thousands of Gold and Silver, then ever you will have. But you do not like such preciseness. Why do you not like it? if you have no reason for your contempt, you are worse then brutish, if you have any reason, produce it. Why those that make such a bustle about religion, they are as worldly, and they are every way as base as others: suppose this to be true of too many professors; yet is it their religion, or their want of religion, that they are thus? But thou knowest not how to make a distinction, thou thinkest they are all thus, and they learn it by going to so many sermons, and making so many prayers, and keeping so many fasts. Stay, friend, dost thou speak as thou thinkest? diddest thou ever hear a sermon where men were taught to be Hypocrites? diddest thou ever hear a prayer wherein these sins of professors were not bewailed? No, that is true: they are too cunning to do these things openly, but under the colour of religion they do all manner of abominations. Well, I will not contradict thee any further: but grant all this (though tis an absurd slander, but) I will suppose what thou sayest to be true. What's the ergo? the consequence, the conclusion of these premises? Therefore Religion in the Power of it is most excellent and desirable. For that which is counterfeited is unquestionably excellent: you never knew any one counterfeit lead, & brass, but silver & gold: you never knew any one counterfeit pebbles, & Bristow-stones, but precious stones, & diamonds. Certainly, would men but