Preparation for sufferings. Or The best work in the worst times Wherein the necessity,…

Secondly, And by this means thou wilt also prevent the offence and scandals of others at the ⟨p. 29⟩ways of Religion: It is a sad and dangerous thing to be an occasion of stumbling, either to the weak, or to the wicked. Woe to the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh, Mat. 18.7. The Apostasies and sinful compliances of ungrounded Professors and weak Christians in times of temptation, are the woeful occasions of prejudicing others against Religion, and shedding the blood of Souls. Ah it were much better never to be in the ways of Profession, than to be there only as a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to others: but all this mischief will be prevented, by thy serious expectation of, and provision for the evil day.

Secondly, And by this means thou wilt also prevent the offence and scandals of others at the ⟨p. 29⟩ways of Religion: It is a sad and dangerous thing to be an occasion of stumbling, either to the weak, or to the wicked. Woe to the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh, Mat. 18.7. The Apostacies and sinful compliances of ungrounded Professors and weak Christians in times of temptation, are the woful occasions of prejudicing others against Religion, and shedding the blood of Souls. Ah it were much better never to be in the ways of Profession, than to be there only as a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to others: but all this mischief will be prevented, by thy serious expectation of, and provision for the evil day.

Fourthly, A fourth Excellency of Preparation for Sufferings lies in this, that it hath a tendency to convince and awaken the drowsy World. O! if the Lords people would but fall about this work in earnest, and live as people that are providing for a Storm, and resolve in the strength of God to run all hazards and hardships for Christ, I am persuaded it would be of more use, to startle and convince the World, than all the Sermons that ever they heard: for here is that which dashes and cuts the throat of all our labours, we preach up Self-denial, and contempt of life and liberty for Christ. Now though they hear us preach the necessity and excellency of these things, and hear you profess them as your Principles; yet when they look upon the lives of Professors in times of danger, and find no proportion betwixt Profession and Practice; when they see us cling to the World, and are as loath to give it up as others; when