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

2. […] form, but we will not be reformed: our […] Government both in Church and Commonwealth, is partly […] whose corruption and degeneracy being Anarchy, the guilt of the errors of Administration fall upon the people, especial it persons in Office and Place do their endeavour to rectify and attend them, but are overpowered; nay, though they attain an outward Reformation, yet there may remain the guilt of that sin unrepented of upon a Land, which God will not forget, but (though he may delay for a while) will find out a time to call to reckoning. Josiah was the greatest Reformer in Judah that ever was, yet though there were peace in his time. Read 2 Kings 22. 25: & 23. 25, 26.

2. 〈…〉 form, but we will not be reformed: our 〈…〉 Government both in Church and Commonwealth, is partly 〈…〉 whose corruption and degeneracy being Anarchy, the guilt of the errours of Administration fall upon the people, especial it persons in Office and Place do their endeavour to rectifie and at•end them, but are overpowered; nay, though they attain an outward Reformation, yet there may remain the guilt of that sin unrepented of upon a Land, which God will not forget, but (though he may delay for a while) will finde out a time to call to reckoning. Josiah was the greatest Reformer in Judah that ever was, yet though there were peace in his time. Reade 2 Kings 22. 25: & 23. 25, 26.

3. Consider (though I speak not to excuse sin in any, where they may be guilty before God) yet consider why hath God lately taken away so many of his precious Servants in the Ministry, it is not to their damage or wrong, they are gone to their rest, have left a sinful and sorrowful world, to be invested with a Crown of Glory, and to be with Christ, which is best: but we are bereaved, the Lights are put out of our Candlesticks; they were despised here, and they are now received to honour and glory: and this may call us to solemn consideration. Consider