The peril of the times displayed. Or The danger of mens taking up with…

1. That there is such a prevalency of so many immoralities among Professors? I confess that it must be granted, that in the best times, and in places where the power of Godliness is most flourishing, there have been, and will be those that have not the fear of God before their eyes: there were so in the times of the greatest Reformation that we read of in the Book of God. In this world we must expect that Wicked men will be mixed with the Godly, and such as will dare to show their wickedness in their Lives, and not be afraid to Transgress in a Land of Uprightness. But when such are not countenanced, but due testimony is born against them; when they are contemned in the places where they live, and a note of infamy and scandal is put upon them; this will not be charged on such a people for Apostasy: But when such sins grow frequent, and those that have taken on themselves a name of being Religious, begin to indulge themselves herein; and men that allow themselves in such things are not Reproached for it, but are in as good Credit ⟨p. 92⟩as the best, it then becomes a bad symptom, and saith that the times are declining and perilous. Much more when such as these will undertake to justify, and patronize such things: and are there not sad complaints made on this account? I shall here instance only in some that are more notorious. Are not Gods Sabbaths woefully neglected? How little care is there used in making of due preparation for them? How woefully can such as would be esteemed Godly, encroach upon holy time, and be engaged, either in secular business, or in vain Company, and possibly in public houses, when they should be at home, in their Closets, or with their Families, Sanctifying of Gods day, and showing of the Honourable esteem they have for it? And I am well satisfied, that where the strict Observation of Gods Sabbath is lost, there the Power of Godliness is gone. How much complaint is there made of woeful Dishonesty in their dealings, practised by such as can talk high of their Religion? How many fallacious tricks they can use in their Commerce? How deceitful in their Labour? How false to their ⟨p. 93⟩words and promises? as if dissembling and lying were no reproach to the name of Christians. How many Intemperate Church Members are there reported to be, who spend their precious time in frequenting Public Houses, and keeping of loose and lewd Company?