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 than 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 Poet's Old man, Laudatur temporis acti, see puero; which is not from wisdom; such complaints often proceeding from Ignorance in History, or non-observation of the vices in those of former, and the Virtues in some of the present generation, who are endued Antiqua side, priscis moribus. And for any upon this ground to murmur at that 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 […] 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 Quaerulists, Thou dost not wisely enquire concerning this matter. ⟨image ?⟩All this not withstanding, some Times are more corrupt▪ dark and miserable than can be said of all; Nor did Solomon ever say or think otherwise. As Nebuchadnezzar's Image had a golden head, and iron feet, so there are golden and iron Ages. Albeit golden times are a coming, when Jerusalem shall be holy, & strangers pass through her no more; when David shall be Prince for ever: yet are we upon whom 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 & Zeal and Power, than 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 than 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 Poet's Old man, Laudatur temporis acti, se puero; which is not from wisdome; such complaints often proceeding from Ignorance in History, or non-observation of the vices in those of former, and the Vertues in some of the present generation, who are endued Antiqua side, priscis moribus. And for any upon this ground to murmur at yt 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 〈…〉 ought to be, is foolish arrogance in wretched mortals, so to take upon them to teach him whose waies are unsearchable. Well may the wise man say to such Quaerulists, Thou dost not wisely enquire concerning this matter. ⟨image ?⟩All this not withstanding, some Times are more corrupt▪ dark and miserable than can be said of all; Nor did Solomon ever say or think otherwise. As Nebuchadnezzar's Image had a golden head, and iron feet, so there are golden and iron Ages. Albeit golden times are a coming, when Jerusalem shall be holy, & strangers pass through her no more; when David shall be Prince for ever: yet are we upon whom 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 dreggs of those times are now at hand. They that have their thoughts exercised to discern things of that nature, feel it, and bewaile it, that there is a woful 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 & Zeal and Power, than 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.
