THE Wise Man doth justly condemn the folly of those, that are always saying and complaining, what is the cause that the former days were better then these? Not that he doth approve of a spirit insensible of the evils, Sins, Judgments, Degeneracy of the times wherein we live; only there is in men an aptness to Morose Repinings, like the Poets Old man, Laudator temporis acti, see pucro; which is not from wisdom; such complaints often proceeding from ignorance in History, or non-observation of the vices in those of former, and virtues in some of the present Generation, who are endued Antiqua fide, priscis moribus. And for any upon this ground to murmur at the providence of God, for casting their lot to fall into an age of troubles, as if the most High did not balance humane affairs, with such an equal distribution of blessings as ought to be, is foolish Arrogance in wretched Mortals, so to take upon them, to teach him whose ways are unsearchable. Well may the wise man say to such Querulists. Thou dost not wisely enquire concerning this matter. All this notwithstanding, some times are […] corrupt, dark and miserable then can be ⟨image ?⟩said of all, nor did Solomon ever say or think otherwise. As Nebuchadnezzars image had a golden head, and iron feet, so there are golden and iron Ages. And albeit Golden times are a coming, when Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers pass through her no more, when David shall be Prince for ever, yet are we, upon […] the ends of the world are come, in an Iron Age; the Divine Oracle having told us, that in the last days perilous times shall come; yea the dregs of those times are now at hand. They that have their thoughts exercised to discern things of that nature, feel it, and bewail it, that there is a woeful decay of Religion throughout the world, yea, throughout the Protestant World. The Professors of this Age, have more of Light and Notion, but less of love and Zeal and Power, then did appear in the Martyrs, and blessed Puritans (for time was when the Saints were known by that honourable Nickname) that are gone before us.
THE Wise Man doth justly condemn the folly of those, that are alwayes saying and complaining, what is the cause that the former dayes were better then these? Not that he doth approve of a spirit insensible of the evils, Sins, Judgments, Degeneracy of the times wherein we live; only there is in men an aptness to Morose Repinings, like the Poets Old man, Landator temporis acti, se pucro; which is not from wisdome; such complaints often proceeding from ignorance in History, or non-observation of the vices in those of former, and virtues in some of the present Generation, who are endued Antiqua fide, priscis moribus. And for any upon this ground to murmure at the providence of God, for casting their lot to fall into an age of troubles, as if the most High did not ballance humane affairs, with such an equal distribution of blessings as ought to be, is foolish Arrogance in wretched Mortals, so to take upon them, to teach him whose ways are unsearchable. Well may the wise man say to such Querulists. Thou dost not wisely enquire concerning this matter. All this notwithstanding, some times are 〈…〉 corrupt, dark and miserable then can be ⟨image ?⟩said of all, nor did Solomon ever say or think otherwise. As Nebuchadnezzars image had a golden head, and iron feet, so there are golden and iron Ages. And albeit Golden times are a coming, when Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers pass through her no more, when David shall be Prince for ever, yet are we, upon 〈…〉 the ends of the world are come, in an Iron Age; the Divine Oracle having told us, that in the last dayes perillous times shall come; yea the dregs of those times are now at hand. They that have their thoughts exercised to discern things of that nature, feel it, and bewail it, that there is a wofull decay of Religion throughout the world, yea, throughout the Protestant World. The Professors of this Age, have more of Light and Notion, but less of love and Zeal and Power, then did appear in the Martyrs, and blessed Puritans (for time was when the Saints were known by that honourable Nickname) that are gone before us.
