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

Men that become Religious for base ends, and have some ignoble and fleshly design in it, will sooner or later find those unworthy ends to sail them, and something or other to come athwart them, which will contradict the design they are ⟨p. 71⟩driving, and then the efficacy of them ceaseth. That Profession that hath no life in it, will of it self run out in a little time, and come to nothing if it be let alone. Besides, there is nothing wherein God is more affronted, or his honour more reflected on, then by mens thinking to put him off with a show, and to hide the deceitfulness of their hearts from him, as if it were possible for vain men to impose a cheat upon him: no wonder then if he, in his righteous judgment suffers them to lay aside their visor, and appear to the world in their own true colours; leaves them to throw off the form, who took up contented with a mere form; and thereby God righteously lays them open to the view and discovery of men, who before had deceived them; and maketh their name to rot above ground whose only care had been to provide themselves with a name on Earth. Let it not then stumble any serious Soul, when Tall Cedars fall, when great Professors, and such as have had a great name, come to nothing, and either turn aside to damnable heresies, or immerge themselves in grossest Immoralities: but ⟨p. 72⟩adore the wisdom and holiness of God, in laying men open, and making them to appear in their own colours; and let it be a solemn warning to such as are ready to boast themselves of their great profession, and to grow confident thereupon; and invite them, not to be high-mended, but to fear.

Men that become Religious for base ends, and have some ignoble and fleshly design in it, will sooner or later find those unworthy ends to sail them, and something or other to come athwart them, which will contradict the design they are ⟨p. 71⟩driving, and then the efficacy of them ceaseth. That Profession that hath no life in it, will of it self run out in a little time, and come to nothing if it be let alone. Besides, there is nothing wherein God is more affronted, or his honour more reflected on, then by mens thinking to put him off with a shew, and to hide the deceitfulness of their hearts from him, as if it were possible for vain men to impose a cheat upon him: no wonder then if he, in his righteous judgment suffers them to lay aside their vizar, and appear to the world in their own true colours; leaves them to throw off the form, who took up contented with a meer form; and thereby God righteously lays them open to the view and discovery of men, who before had deceived them; and maketh their name to rot above ground whose only care had been to provide themselves with a name on Earth. Let it not then stumble any serious Soul, when Tall Cedars fall, when great Professors, and such as have had a great name, come to nothing, and either turn aside to damnable heresies, or immerge themselves in grossest Immoralities: but