Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy

4. When we enquire, but never intend to reform: this was the enquiry of those, Jer. 43. their promises were indeed fair, but when the Prophet had gone to God and enquired for them, and brought ⟨p. 56⟩them word back again, […] they discover their hypocritical heart, Chap. 44. 16. they would make a formal kind of process, as if they had been desirous of Gods counsel to direct them; and had the Answer been to their minds, what godly men might they have past for: Hath God told us nothing? have not his Messengers pointed at something? have not the very Providences themselves given light to our enquiry? but all this while, where is the amendment? who turns from his evil way to the Lord?

4. When we enquire, but never intend to reform: this was the enquiry of those, Jer. 43. their promises were indeed fair, but when the Prophet had gone to God and enquired for them, and brought ⟨p. 56⟩them word back again, 〈…〉 they discover their hypocritical heart, Chap. 44. 16. they would make a formal kinde of process, as if they had been desirous of Gods counsel to direct them; and had the Answer been to their mindes, what godly men might they have past for: Hath God told us nothing? have not his Messengers pointed at something? have not the very Providences themselves given light to our enquiry? but all this while, where is the amendment? who turns from his evil way to the Lord?

5. When we enquire, but not of Gods Watchmen: times have been when they have been esteemed, and looked upon as Watchmen indeed, who were best able to inform us in the Counsels of God; but now who more blind then they in our practical judgement? a prejudicial eye is cast upon them, and they laid by as useless. Oh how is the cavilling of an Anabaptistical and censorious spirit (who can spit his venom in the face of Magistracy and Ministry, and make these the Causes of all our Trouble) set by among many? whiles the faithful Warnings of Gods Servants are contemned.